Australia

The new drone features standard solar cells, which are encapsulated in composite material without losing efficiency.

First Solar has agreed to supply 241 MW (DC) of its thin-film PV modules to Sydney-based EPC contractor RCR Tomlinson for Edify Energy’s 180.7 MW Daydream and 60.2 MW Hayman solar projects in the Australian state of Queensland.

Undergoing a complete transformation, the site of the hotly contested Collinsville coal-fired power station and mine is set to become Queensland’s solar hotspot. The state-owned green lender secures financial backing for two more solar farms, bringing some important new investors.

Seeking to hedge against instability in electricity supply and utility price hikes, South Australia is relentlessly increasing its renewable electricity generation capacity, tapping into its abundant sustainable energy potential. This time, the state is set to host a combined solar and methane power plant, believed to be an Australian first.

As competition increases, some players are likely to exit Australia’s EPC market despite a surge in projects entering the pipeline, finds SERA.

The massive utility-scale PV plant will be built by the Singapore-based developer in Queensland Western Downs, near Wandoan, for an estimated investment of up to AU$2bn. Storage component likely to be added at later date.

Enel Green Power and the Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF) have selected Spain’s Elecnor to provide EPC services for the 137 MW second phase of the Bungala solar project near Port Augusta, South Australia. The turnkey contract is valued at A$173 million ($137.7 million).

The Department of Planning and Environment in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has given the green light to build 275 MW of solar capacity at four locations throughout the state.

The German PV company has received the order for a 39 MW solar plant in Australia. Meanwhile in the U.S., Phoenix Solar has been negotiating two other projects.

Aimed at phasing out diesel fuel for electricity generation in remote Aboriginal communities, the Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP) has switched on solar PV systems for the first 10 indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory