Industry News
Six retrofitting trends to watch for in 2015
Commercial buildings with a high NABERS rating deliver 10.5% more investment returns compared to buildings with a low NABERS rating, according to The Property Council. With benefits like that, it is important to keep abreast of changes in the fast-moving retrofitting industry. Here are some trends we can expect to see in 2015.
[ + ]Eaton appoints new MD for ANZ Electrical Business
Power management company Eaton has appointed Gordon Makryllos as managing director - Australia/New Zealand for the company's electrical business. Based in Sydney, Makryllos will be responsible for leading the business through its next phase of growth and propelling its sales and marketing presence. [ + ]
Safe Work Australia seminar series available
Safe Work Australia is making its Virtual Seminar Series (VSS) presentations available for general viewing. [ + ]
Apprenticeship growth defies employer claims
Trade apprenticeships have strongly increased, disproving employer claims that commencements would collapse following increased apprentice pay and better conditions won last year by unions. [ + ]
Petrol prices expected to plummet
Petrol prices in Sydney should fall to almost three-year lows as the impact of falling Singapore Mogas prices flows on to the Australian market, according to the National Roads & Motorists' Association. [ + ]
Replacements for faulty solar isolator switches
The Office of Fair Trading has issued a product safety recall notice against Cairns-based solar company Blueline Solar. [ + ]
ACA says further cable recalls needed
Yet another batch of faulty electrical cables has been sold and installed over the last three years, according to the Australian Cablemakers Association (ACA). This follows on from the Infinity- and Olsent-branded cable recall, reportedly the largest of its type in Australia's history. [ + ]
SolarMax to file for insolvency
PV inverter manufacturer SolarMax will see its mother company Sputnik Engineering AG file for insolvency. [ + ]
Free lighting product registration systems seminar
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) en.lighten initiative and lites.asia are hosting a free webinar, Lighting Product Registration Systems: Design and Operation, on 4 December 2014. [ + ]
Global solar PV module capacity to more than treble by 2020
The global cumulative installed capacity of solar PV modules will more than treble from 135.66 GW in 2013 to 413.98 GW by 2020, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. [ + ]
Toshiba laptop power supply recall
The ACCC advises that some Toshiba notebook computers sold in Australia and New Zealand between September 2010 and June 2012 were shipped with LS-15-branded AC power cords. The location of the 'LS-15' marking is on the portion of the cord that plugs into the AC adapter. Not all Toshiba PCs were sold with the affected AC power cord. [ + ]
Australian solar scientist joins Natcore advisory board
Dr Gavin Conibeer, an internationally known professor at the School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), has joined the science advisory board of Natcore Technology Inc. [ + ]
Melbourne Showgrounds goes solar
Yingli Green Energy Australia and Enphase Energy have installed a 100 kW solar system at Melbourne Showgrounds through installation partner EnviroGroup. [ + ]
CET instructor wins the 2014 Trade Teacher Award
Jim Brown, the campus manager at the College of Electrical Training in Western Australia, has received the 2014 Trade Teacher Award. [ + ]
Velocity and BP announce partnership
Velocity Frequent Flyer and BP have announced an Australian-first partnership.The multiyear deal will allow Velocity members to earn points on fuel and retail spend at BP by swiping their card at any of the 1400 BP stations around Australia. [ + ]
