Australia’s rooftop installations above 2017’s record-breaking year
February rooftop solar installations exceeded 115 MW, well above the less-than 80 MW installed in the same month 2017 – itself a record-breaking solar year in Australia. Green Energy Markets’ latest STC figures reveal the “extraordinary” installation rates.
Neoen’s 50 MW hydrogen electrolyser at proposed wind, solar facility in Australia receives grant
French firm Neoen has begun development on a hydrogen electrolyser to be colocated alongside a 150 MW wind project and 150 MW solar farm. The project has been awarded a grant of AU$1 million by the South Australian Renewable Technology fund, with more funding yet to be approved.
Australian researchers demonstrate first working proton battery
Scientists at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have demonstrated the first working example of a “proton battery”, which utilizes a carbon electrode and a reversible hydrogen fuel cell for the storage of energy. The scientists say their small prototype has already demonstrated similar storage capacities to commercially available lithium-ion batteries, with plenty of potential for further optimization.
Australia: record 1.07 GW small-scale solar installed in 2017
It’s official: 2017 was a record year for rooftop PV in Australia. The Clean Energy Regulator announced today that over 1070 MW of small-scale solar was installed by Australian homeowners and businesses in 2017 – representing 41% growth over 2016.
Australian utility Powershop drops rates 5% thanks to new hydro, wind, solar assets
The Australian unit of New-Zealand based Meridian Energy is dropping the rates 5% for its customers in the Australian state of Victoria, as it adds “a diverse set of renewable generation” to its portfolio.
Solar PV now employing 10,000 Australians
Australia’s large-scale and rooftop solar PV sectors now employ over 10,000 people. The findings were published today in Green Energy Market’s Renewable Energy Index for January 2018.
Sonnen to establish battery factory in South Australia
German battery and solar energy company, sonnen GmbH will move its Australian headquarters from Sydney to Adelaide, where it will also establish a manufacturing hub.
BNEF: Australia ties with Germany as fastest growing residential storage market
Australia is on the cusp of a residential battery storage boom. The Climate Council published the forecast last week in its Fully Charged: Renewables and Storage Powering Australia report. BNEF confirms with pv magazine that as a result of the rapid growth, Australia sits alongside Germany as the fastest growing market for residential battery storage.
South Australia: Labor sets 75% RE target by 2025
The South Australian Labor Party has increased its Renewable Energy Target (RET) to 75% by 2025. It also plans to introduce a target of meeting 25% of the state’s peak electricity demand with stored renewables – equating to 750 MW of storage capacity.
Innogy to acquire two Australian projects worth 460 MW
Germany’s innogy is set to acquire the Limondale and Hilston utility-scale solar projects in Australia’s New South Wales from developer Overland Sun Farming. The two projects have a combined capacity of over 460 MW.
