Residential solar PV will be around as long as the sun shines, but long-term growth could be constrained by the limits of the electricity network. That’s the conclusion of energy research specialist Energeia, which recently found that the the residential solar PV market is falling 56% in 2012, after growing 58% in 2011. [ + ]

International sustainable resins supplier Cardia Bioplastics and rigid plastic packaging company Alto Packaging have announced a strategic partnership to produce high-performance packaging solutions, manufactured with Cardia’s novel thermoplastic starch resins and thus carrying environmental benefits. [ + ]

The $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program will provide opportunities for Australian businesses to find innovative ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [ + ]

A total of 115 Australians have been awarded 2012 Churchill Fellowships for a diverse range of research projects, with a number focusing their attention on enriching our knowledge and practice in the areas of environment and sustainability. [ + ]

Victoria’s Smart Water Fund has enlisted the methane-producing potential of algae and Flinders University expertise in a move to reduce the carbon emissions and the power bills of the state’s water sector through increased renewable energy use. [ + ]

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accepted informal undertakings from Polaris Solar and ACT Renewable Energy for claims regarding the impact of the carbon price on household electricity prices that the ACCC considered were likely to mislead. [ + ]

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced it is integrating Data Centre University, the globally recognised online resource of data centre courses, with its online, free, vendor-neutral, energy-efficiency learning program, Energy University. [ + ]

A study released today by carbon analytics firm RepuTex indicates that companies liable under the carbon price mechanism will pay up to 45% less than initially expected, with cost savings totalling over $10bn translating into significantly reduced carbon price impacts for Australian consumers and regional commodities buyers. [ + ]

Supported by a grant from The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Emerging Renewables Program, BlueScope Steel will develop a low-cost building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system for Australian residential, commercial and industrial rooftops. [ + ]

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has endorsed New Zealand ‘no-tillage’ technology for reducing the impact of climate change on the production of crops. Now, the crusade to encourage more farmers to adopt no-tillage techniques on their properties has been taken to Europe. [ + ]

An international design competition will be launched on 11 September to attract plans to help transition the Latrobe Valley into a low-carbon future. [ + ]

Itron has announced that on 1 July 2012, water utility Sydney Water began the three-year-long installation of Itron’s high-efficiency meters to replace old meters that serve its residential and commercial customers in Sydney. [ + ]

The Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand’s (CCANZ) 2012 Concrete³ Sustainability Awards are now open for entry, offering those in the construction industry the chance to be recognised for their sustainable achievements. [ + ]

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has applauded the Gillard government for its commitment to Australia’s green building future, with the announcement that a smaller increase to the rate of Withholding Tax (WHT) will be applied to new building projects achieving 5 Star or 6 Star Green Star ratings. [ + ]

Australia’s first national Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme was launched in Perth on 19 June 2012, by Main Roads Western Australia Managing Director Menno Henneveld. [ + ]