Apprentice electricians are visiting Parliament House as part of their campaign to increase apprentice electrician wages, which can be as low as $225 per week for a first-year apprentice. [ + ]

Recent photovoltaics research has resulted in new technology that could see buildings entirely powered by sunlight. Using the new technology, conventional glass on buildings would be covered with solar cells that would provide the building with all its energy requirements. It is anticipated this technology could be commercially available within five years. [ + ]

Following a meeting with Skills Minister Chris Evans, apprentice electricians are feeling optimistic about the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union (CEPU) campaign to increase apprentice electrician wages. [ + ]

Photovoltaics company Q-Cells Australia will continue operations, despite the preliminary insolvency procedure of its parent company, Germany-based Q-Cells SE. [ + ]

Registration for the East Solar Expo & Conference has opened. The event is free to attend, but registration is essential. It will be held over 21-22 August at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre. [ + ]

Private investment in India’s clean energy sector increased by 54% to US$10.2 billion in 2011, a recent Pew Report showed. [ + ]

Sydney Water has announced an intention to look to the market to provide mechanical and electrical services. Around 135 positions within the mechanical and electrical group would be affected by the proposed changes, with staff offered a range of options in line with negotiated agreements. [ + ]

The Clean Energy Council has a new Chief Executive Officer. David Green comes to the position after more than two decades of working on clean energy policy in the UK. [ + ]

In a solar-powered State of Origin, New South Wales has beaten Queensland for the title of Australia’s solar state, according to the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. Queensland finished close behind NSW, with 158,000 households having solar power systems installed by the end of 2011, compared with 163,000 in NSW. [ + ]

A new energy storage system could enable businesses and consumers to store energy generated through their solar systems. South Australian company ZEN Energy Systems announced its ZEN Freedom Power Bank at the International Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, claiming that it has the potential to change the way electricity is utilised. [ + ]

The decision to cut funding subsidies for electrical apprentices has been criticised by the National Electrical Skills Council, EE-Oz Training Standards. [ + ]

The government has announced measures to allow workers from the US in licensed occupations, such as electricians and plumbers, to be granted immediate access to provisional Australian licences on arrival. More broadly, the skills assessment process will assure Australian employers how the skills of US workers align with their needs. [ + ]

The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) and the China Renewable Energy Society have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a solar alliance between Australia and China. The alliance will encourage cooperation between the two countries in the development and deployment of solar energy. [ + ]

TR has sold its TR Minecom underground communications division to US electronics manufacturer Pyott-Boone Electronics for an undisclosed sum. [ + ]

The City of Sydney council has commenced a $7 million project to install energy-efficient LED street and park lights in the city centre. GE and UGL Limited were selected by tender to install the lights, beginning in front of Sydney Town Hall. [ + ]