The Solar Bonus Scheme has reached its first milestone – a capacity of 50 megawatts – triggering a review of its performance, Minister for Energy Paul Lynch said today.

As part of the legislation, a review of the Scheme must be undertaken as soon as possible to identify how it has performed against its original objectives.

Public submissions will be received before 30 September, with the review to be tabled in Parliament towards the end of the next session of Parliament.

Submissions can be emailed to solarbonus [dot] reviewindustry [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au or posted to Solar Bonus Review, Industry and Investment NSW, Level 17, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000 by close of business 30 September, 2010.

A small Australian manufacturing team is bucking the trend with its linear fluorescent light fitting, using what many consider outdated technology to achieve what it says is a 70 per cent reduction in lighting energy use and more effective lighting. Some large property owners, including Local Government Superannuation, are converting to the fitting.

The number of rating tools, policies, reports, incentives and legal rulings on sustainable residential development has proliferated in recent years. In this comprehensive work, legal firm Herbert Geer has created clear and focused guide through the maze. At least for the eastern seaboard.

High rise apartment blocks, it turns out, are the biggest energy guzzlers in the residential market. But they are falling through the cracks when it comes to energy and water efficiency incentive schemes. It is something that local councils are acutely aware of while state and federal government appear to be turning a blind eye.

According to a NSW Energy Australia study, a highrise apartment uses 30 per cent more power than a typical detached house. Much of this is in the common areas such as foyers and car parks where lights are often inefficient and are left on night and day.