Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

http://www.energy.gov/news/4503.htm

"New World Record Achieved in Solar Cell Technology
New Solar Cell Breaks the “40 Percent Efficient” Sunlight-to-Electricity Barrier"

"...Almost all of today’s solar cell modules do not concentrate sunlight but use only what the sun produces naturally, what researchers call “one sun insolation,” which achieves an efficiency of 12 to 18 percent. However, by using an optical concentrator, sunlight intensity can be increased, squeezing more electricity out of a single solar cell."

sounds to me like this alternative power might one day not just be an alternative! Now to hope the governments really get behind it all and fund it well!

L3nny

Now to hope the governments really get behind it all and fund it well!
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ROTFLPIMP .....but yeh I wish they would I'm sick of both sides of the government saying plenty but doing zip.
Even the subsidies are being phased out
Pete

here here!!!

Wait a minute . Are you sure government is the answer .

Boeing-Spectrolab did this. We need more free enterprise and less government. My experience and thinking is that free enterprise does everything better than government.

Do we want government aquaponics...or backyard aquaponics?

I want solar electric to be more free. Individual rights are the road to fairness and individual happiness. Heavy taxes to support government programs is the opposite When you ask for a subsidy or new government project, then you are digging into every tax payers pocket to fund some agenda you believe in. We all need to function for our selves and not depend on the government like we were children.

Sorry for the soap box speach, but it bothers me to see so many good people talking about what the government should add to our tax burden and control. Free enterprise has always been the best path

When we can buy solar at a reasonable price, then we are independent and not subject to foreign dependency (or any dependency

Amen, brother!

Good point and well put DB

DB personally i think the government will heavily tax us anyway we go,If say you ask for a subsity to set up a facility to teach the up and coming population about the benifits of AP/solar/organics/etc would this not be better than the money going to other causes that have no relivence.( I`m not going to mention any, as that usually causes trouble)
I would rather see my tax dollar being spent wisely and at the same time know that it is helping future generations to be able to sustain themselves in a positive way.(This is just MY opinion and I`m not saying it`s right)

Like the whole industry funded by taxpaieeeeeerrs to 'find people work' (that doesn't exist mind you). Brings down unemployment figure which looks good for johnie at the people expense.

Our government is doing their bit though... The Photovoltaic rebate program is pretty damn good... http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/pv/index.html

For new systems 450W peak or more the government will rebate $4 per rated watt. So for example 5 x 110W panels = 550W Which would cost you around $5000... the government will then rebate a total of $2200 which is almost half...

There is a catch, the system must be approved/installed by a proper solar installer and all the components must be new from an approved retailer.
However second hand items are classed as 'an extension' to an existing system and therefore recieve a rebate of $2.50 per rated watt. For my setup, which averages out to $3.90 when I bought them, I will be getting over half of my initial investment back.

Tempting.

I would use the rebate, if we had that here.

I know we need to function in the world we have. I also know how I think it should be.

It grounds my thinking by knowing right from wrong.

People should work to get government out of the areas they do not belong in.

Meanwhile, make the best of it and make your actions follow your philosophy..

But insyead of increasing the rebate, they are getting rid of it. And they are yet to approve the sun cube for any rebates

Is there a link for "Sun Cube"?

Sounds interesting.

DB,is this what you are referring to? - compliments of ROZ

Thank you EllKayBee .
I read about SolarCube at site.
It is 240 watts for $15,000? Is that a joke???
600 KWHrs is per year. 240vac at 1amp ~ 240 watts .
Am I missing something ?

Hi DB ... from the suncube site





Each cube (as pictured on home page) is 600kw annually