Australia’s solar boom has brought with it an endless stream of positive impacts both economically and environmentally. But with economic growth in an industry comes complications for consumers.

What do solar panels and high-speed internet have in common? Quite a lot, according to Melbourne businessman Jeremy Rich. After selling his solar panel business, Energy Matters, to US juggernaut Sun Edison, Mr Rich has created a new company, and has the government-owned NBN in his sights.

Innovative financing options are now available for those interested in purchasing solar, making solar installation in the home simpler and more affordable. Industry U.S solar giants have come up with a novel way to expand the market for solar by selling the systems within a financed package of sorts, avoiding huge upfront payments whilst positioning the package as another way of purchasing electricity in a cost-effective way.

Just recently, GRID Alternatives, Australia’s biggest not-for-profit solar installer, and SunEdison, an energy development firm from Missouri, agreed on a partnership deal what will help create renewable energy jobs for low-income workers.

Scotland’s solar capacity has risen by almost 1/3 within the past year according to new statistics that have been released. With more than 35,000 homes and close to 600 businesses that have installed solar photovoltaic systems, it seems as though solar panel power is the way of the future.

The Australian Solar Council joins with several stakeholders and launches a new industry body for the energy sector as it tries to engage more electric utilities.

Will the $500 QLD solar service charge destroy the solar industry in Queensland? Queensland business owners are complaining because of the $500 service charge on their electricity bills.

More and more commercial solar industry players continue to reap the benefits of the recent popularity being enjoyed by the Australian solar energy industry, made possible by government rebates and a decreasing cost of solar panel products and installation.

The Australian solar industry is experiencing a boom as the number of Australians with solar panels in their homes has jumped considerably in the past three years, from just 7.

The solar industry has recovered at a much faster rate compared to tech companies that resurfaced following the dotcom bubble burst in early 2000. According to the BI Global Large Solar Energy Index, the 15 companies that registered a decline of 87% from the period February 2011 to November 2012 had recovered more than 55% of their value.

One of the country’s biggest unions has said a decision by the minority federal Labor government to redirect $45 million from an axed solar hot water rebate scheme back into the industry will save jobs.

With the cost of solar panels and associated equipment dropping rapidly while gas prices have been rising, solar PV is now competitive with fossil fuel in many Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries for electricity generation.