This article is sponsored by Energus
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The Australian solar industry is experiencing a boost in growth with March clocking the highest amount of household solar installations in five years.
This growth follows the construction of seven new large-scale solar farms across the country last year.
Warwick Johnston from energy consultancy firm Sunwiz says 91 megawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems were installed in the month of March.
He attributed part of the growth to the recent South Australian blackouts, suggesting people are looking to safeguard against the risk of grid power cuts.
Queenslanders led the charge with 25 megawatts of capacity installed in March, roughly enough to power 5,500 homes and businesses.
Installations were also on the increase in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, while figures in Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT remained stable.
This growth is indicative of a changing Australian solar industry in 2017.
Earlier this month, a team of researchers at the Australian National University set a new world record for solar panel efficiency.
The researchers reached 26 percent efficiency when converting sunlight into energy by using perovskite solar cells on top of the traditional silicon cells.
Silicon is a product used in nine out of ten solar panels, and this record paves the way for the introduction of a lower-cost alternative.
The researchers at ANU are one of many solar research teams around the world working to improve the solar industry’s growth and efficiency.
Australian solar company Energus launched their new solar panel, eArche, last month, which they say is the thinnest and lightest solar panel to date.
eArche can also be produced to fit curved surfaces, a design evolution for typically rigid solar panels that will address aesthetic concerns in architecture and design.
The new solar product was launched in April to a crowd of over 180 architects, builders and solar professionals at an event held at The Calyx, in the Botanical Gardens, Sydney.
The evening included presentations by co-inventor Dr Zhengrong Shi, who said the product will open up traditionally locked-out markets for the solar industry, with surfaces such as commercial, curved and non-penetrating roofs being able to support the lightweight product.
Energus is also collaborating with Sunman on several R&D Programs that he says will continue to move the solar industry into the future.
Dr Shi aims to not only rethink the traditional solar panel design but is also on a mission to integrate solar generation into everyday life for all Australians.
This article is sponsored by Energus