Let's end the month of July with an awesome roundup!

Ready for this week's roundup? Let's go!

Unilever AU follows in the footsteps of confectionery giant Mars as it declares 100% renewable energy for its Australian operations in two years; Port Macquarie Base Hospital is about to go solar with the largest hospital solar power installation; Two of WA's biggest players in the gas-propelled economy are looking into renewable energy; And energy spills are flooding the electricity grid, causing major concerns.

The MV Solar Rally team went back to the dirt tracks and competed in the Singleton Automotive Caves Classic Techworkz near Oberon last weekend. 

Driver Michael Valantine and Navigator Erin Valantine were seeded 16th in the Datsun 1600 and were keen to get the car on the course. Support crew for this outing were Dennis Valantine, Andrew Bacon, Kirk Bendall, Tim Valantine, Lois Valantine and Laura Valantine.

Nothing better than words from the Navigator himself, a disappointing end with Tim and Adam rolling their car, but the guys are both okay - the car however will need some work to get it rally ready again. 

Two MV Solar Rally team is taking to the course with both Michael and Tim taking their respective cars out for a spin - first tyres to hit the road this season.

Michael and Erin Valantine achieved first outright in the 2017 Techworkz Automotive New South Wales Development Rally Series – or DRS. The MV Solar team of Father and Daughter, started out on a high, with a win at the first of the six-round series in their 2WD Datsun Stanza. The Singleton Automotive Caves Classic rally was the opening round, and a win here was exactly the start to the season Valantine was looking for.

Stages Ss10, 11 and 12 are now complete. The car had no brakes for the last 10km's of Ss10 so some running repairs were necessary before Ss11 which may have resulted in a late penalty. Ss11 was completed without incident. Further fuel issues were encountered on the Speedway circuit with the car stalling, but Michael managed to get it started to finish the section. At the last official update the team were running 13th but not yet clarified if that includes Ss12 - the Speedway.

The team are well rested after yesterday and final preparations were completed this morning. Tim and Michael are keen to get back out there and finish - using all their skill to bring it home with a strong result. Today's stages are underway. Good Luck MV Solar!!!

What a day!!! Challenging all round by all accounts - slippery roads with varying surfaces has proved challenging with quite a few competitors sliding off - looks like there could be a few DNF'S at the end of today. The MV Solar team are motoring along and had moved to 20th position at end of Ss3 this morning but the 1600 while mechanically travelling ok, has been a fuel guzzler - in fact running out at the beginning of Ss4. Dennis and Kerry got to them and refueled but were caught up in the Ss4 queue and had to wait it out before they could head to the spectator point. Dangerous conditions resulted in the cancellation of Ss4 and then Ss7 and Ss8, however Ss9 has now been completed and the crews are calling it a day in preparation for more action tomorrow.

Stage 1 of day 2 is underway. Weather is wet so hoping the road is not too slippery as a severe weather warning has been issued for the region. Michael and Tim will be out of range of the service crew for about an hour during this stage.