A proposal to develop a 2000km sub-sea cable to supply Indonesia with renewable energy generated in Australia’s north-west has been described as financially viable and possible within the decade.

Paris, Madrid, Athens, and Mexico City will ban diesel engines by 2025, mayors of the four major world cities announced this week.

Record low solar panel prices, combined with the ratcheting-down or removal of federal and state policy levers, are sparking a boom in Australia’s residential and commercial solar markets, while also prompting warnings to consumers to avoid the lure of cheap and nasty solar products – and installers.

The year has flown by – and current solar subsidy levels will fly out the window soon for Australians who put off ordering a solar power system.