Construction has begun on Australia’s first floating solar power plant. Designed by Infratech Industries, the plant will float on a wastewater treatment facility in the northern South Australia town of Jamestown.
The solar panels will be kept cool by the water, helping prevent water evaporation by up to 90%, making them 57% more efficient than land-based solar farms.
Director of Infratech Industries Felicia Whiting said: “It’s very much like a traditional solar array with the exception that it’s designed to float on the water.”
“The mass of water has a cooling effect on the panels and we also included a cooling system utilising the water body itself to be able to keep the solar panels … at a constant temperature.
“When that happens, you get a longer life of the photovoltaic panels and you get a greater efficiency.”
The plant is expected to be working next month.
BOLIVIA INCREASES THE MINIMUM WAGE
The Bolivian government will increase the national minimum wage by 15%, starting from May 1.
Bolivian President Evo Morales made the announcement following negotiations between government officials and representatives from Bolivia’s largest trade union.
"I commend the agreement between the government and COB, we have agreed to increase the general salary by 8.5 percent and also increase the national minimum wage by 15 percent,” Morales stated in a press conference following the meeting, TeleSUR English reported.
The minimum wage will be increased from US$208 to US$239.
TAMIL REFUGEE TRANSFER STOPPED
The transfer of a 19-year-old Tamil asylum seeker from Maribyrnong detention centre in Melbourne to Darwin was stopped on March 10.
Refugee advocates gathered at the airport to protest against the transfer. They were concerned the transfer to Darwin was a first step to deportation to Sri Lanka where it is likely the man will face danger.
Chris Breen for the Refugee Action Collective said: “Asylum seekers deported to Sri Lanka are imprisoned as a matter of course, and some have faced torture. Despite the change of government in Sri Lanka, it is still not safe for Tamils.”
The man was returned to Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation at Broadmeadows.
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