A stand-alone power systems (SPS) accreditation course is being held in Moruya in late January 2014. Run by SolarQuip's Glen Morris, the course consists of five days' classroom-based theory then three days of off-grid practical training. [ + ]

Energy Efficiency Council members are shocked by the surprise funding cuts to the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program. [ + ]

COAG has announced that the National Occupational Licensing Scheme (NOLS) will be disbanded. The National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) will be disestablished early in 2014. [ + ]

Significant effort is required to bring the National Broadband Network (NBN) project back onto a successful trajectory, the Communications Alliance says. [ + ]

The announcement of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program has been welcomed by Master Electricians Australia. The industry body says the Royal Commission is an opportunity to prevent similar deaths in the future. [ + ]

Kevin Stevens has won the NECA Trade Teacher of the Year Award 2013. Stevens, a training coordinator at NECA Skills Centre Victoria, was presented with the award at a ceremony in Sydney last week. [ + ]

Urban Group Energy (UGE) and Solar Juice have announced a strategic partnership that the companies say will benefit retail solar businesses throughout the country. [ + ]

Koch Industries has acquired global electronic components company Molex Incorporated for US$7.2 billion. [ + ]

Researchers have found a way to create large sheets of nanotextured silicon micro-cell arrays that hold the promise of making solar cells lightweight, more efficient, bendable and easy to mass produce. [ + ]

Schneider Electric has partnered with Danish energy company Dong Energy to help electric network operators on isolated islands increase their share of renewable energy while maintaining grid reliability and stability. [ + ]

New figures from the Clean Energy Regulator show that more than 3 gigawatts of solar power has now been installed on Australian rooftops, providing enough energy to run the entire Melbourne train network for more than a decade. [ + ]

Middy's Electrical & Data, in conjunction with NECA, has awarded $90,000 worth of scholarships to 12 electrical contractors from Victoria and Tasmania. [ + ]

SolarReserve has opened an office in Perth, announcing its international expansion into Australia. The company is pursuing large-scale CSP and PV projects, with an emphasis on opportunities in the off-grid mining sector. [ + ]

Master Electricians has opened new headquarters in Perth, officially expanding into Western Australia. [ + ]

As temperatures start to rise, WorkCover NSW is encouraging businesses to ensure their workers are protected when working in the heat. [ + ]