Industry News
Rooftop solar — installations up 56%, employs a third of electricity workforce
The total kilowatt capacity of rooftop solar has increased by 56% over the last year. [ + ]
Security of Payment recommendations good news for contractors
The report on the Review of Security of Payment Laws is good news for electrical contractors who are often the last in a long chain to receive payment, said NECA. [ + ]
Pop-up electric vehicle charging points trial
The City of Oxford is set to become the first city in the world to trial 'pop-up' on-street electric vehicle charging points. [ + ]
Philips Lighting is now Signify; retains Philips brand for products
Philips Lighting has changed its name to Signify while keeping the Philips brand for its products, under the existing licensing agreement with Royal Philips. [ + ]
Aus-Vietnam partnership for smart city initiatives
UTS and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) in Vietnam have partnered for initiatives such as smart cities and cybersecurity. [ + ]
IPD's new service centre to open soon — industry invited
IPD Services is inviting customers, contractors and wholesalers to the grand opening of its 'Service Centre of Excellence' in Keysborough, Melbourne, on 25 May 2018. [ + ]
Electrical safety recall
The cabling and electrical devices sold as part of 'SmartSpace' kit homes have been recalled. [ + ]
Barangaroo South wins national award
Sydney's Barangaroo South has been presented with the RLB Australian Development of the Year. [ + ]
Monash and Honeywell partner to create cognitive buildings
Monash University and Honeywell have partnered to bring next-generation technology and research to change the way buildings are managed. [ + ]
App lets you control facade lighting from anywhere, anytime
Philips Lighting has launched an app that enables businesses to change a building's architectural lighting using a smartphone or tablet. [ + ]
Simble partners with Powercor, targets UK smart lighting market
Australian software company Simble Solutions has partnered with Powercor to support its UK expansion. [ + ]
Renewable energy — how many jobs are there in Aus?
The total number of people employed in the renewable energy industry has reached 10.3 million, according to IRENA. [ + ]
Budget 2018: opportunities for electrical contractors
Although there are no big ticket items for the electrotechnology sector in the Budget, the ongoing investment in infrastructure, company tax cuts and the extension of small business concessions will benefit electrical contractors. [ + ]
Infrastructure, energy security key in Budget 2018
The 2018 Federal Budget tackles head on the connectivity challenges posed by a growing population with substantial infrastructure investments in new and existing projects around the country. [ + ]
Draft solar feed-in tariff benchmarks released for NSW
IPART is proposing a benchmark all-day solar feed-in tariff of 7.5 c/kWh for 2018–19. [ + ]