As part of its regular update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Australia’s wettest February in 15 years produced solar irradiance deficits of 15–30% across the country’s central and eastern regions.

Australia and New Zealand’s electricity networks are entering a new phase of the energy transition. For more than a decade the focus has been on building renewable generation and connecting it to the grid. That effort continues, and it will remain essential. But for many network operators the harder task now lies elsewhere: managing how an increasingly complex system works together.

Oil and gas prices are shooting up as war in the Middle East cuts down the supply of fossil fuels available, in what has been described as “the largest supply disruption in the history of oil markets.” While the effects of the energy crisis are being felt far and wide, it is making the case for renewables clear.

The federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program is being hailed as a clean energy win with almost 280,000 batteries and about 7 MW of capacity installed across Australian since the scheme was launched in mid-2025. While the scheme is delivering results, there are still areas of concern.

The conflict in Iran has triggered global disruptions to energy and liquid fuel markets, including here in Australia. Among the more vulnerable are those in remote and rural diesel-dependent communities where renewables-based microgrids offer an option for reliable and secure energy supply.

Chinese clean tech manufacturer Sungrow has introduced a hybrid solar energy storage solution that integrates Sungrow’s 1+X modular inverter with a dedicated storage interface, PowerTitan 3.0 with built-in DC/DC module, and the solar-ESS Synergy Management System.

While the world reels from interruption to crude oil supply chains, a new International Energy Agency report shows clean energy technology manufacturing supply chains are at risk, largely due to the world’s reliance on China’s advanced manufacturing and distribution expertise.

The Australian Rooftop Valuation Report, published alongside the official launch of AI-powered platform GreenSketch, finds Australian homes could be saving a collective $26 billion a year on electricity through solar – more than $3,000 annually for an average household.

RELA has launched an ARENA-backed platform, Assess 2.0, which gives landowners upfront insight into suitability for their property to host renewable energy projects, prior to entering negotiations with developers.

Researchers from two Australian universities have demonstrated that ultra-low-cost solar could deliver to national energy systems 1,000 TWh per year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh per year for export.

A Japanese consortium is piloting agrivoltaics using film-type perovskite solar cells over rice paddies to study energy generation alongside crop production. The three-year project will assess impacts on rice yield, land use, and emissions while testing the technology’s performance and commercial viability.

Australia’s national science agency says AI-driven robots could reshape solar maintenance across large-scale PV projects after successfully trialing the cutting-edge technology.

Mining giant Rio Tinto will underwrite $7.5 billion of investment in new renewable energy generation and storage in Queensland after inking a deal with the federal and state governments to secure a long-term future for one of Australia’s largest aluminium smelters.

Researchers in the United Kingdom have developed a smart window that combines switchable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal with integrated PV cells, offering controllable transparency and electricity generation. The system balances light, heat, and solar protection while maintaining high visual quality and stable performance, according to its creators.

Construction of Australia’s largest floating solar array has commenced with the first panels and pontoons assembled for a 500 kW system being installed on a water storage reservoir at Warrnambool in Victoria’s southwest.

The Nexis solution combines a flexibly configurable hybrid inverter with a modular high-voltage battery offering up to 14 kW charging capacity per stack. The inverter delivers 8–20 kW AC power, supports up to 200% DC oversizing, and features IP65-rated design with integrated backup power.

The K2 MultiRail High mounting system is a one-piece elevated solution with a height of 100 mm tailored to improve rear ventilation on metal roofs. K2 Systems says greater distance between modules and metal roof surface improves airflow and lowers module temperature, which can translate to higher annual energy yield.

An international research team, including scientists from the University of Queensland, boosted triple-junction solar cell performance by enhancing perovskite crystal growth, increasing middle-cell light absorption, and adding reflective nanoparticles.

A random malware variant affected about 800 remote monitoring devices at ground-mounted PV plants in Japan in May 2024. Tokyo-based cybersecurity firm Girasol Energy has told pv magazine what happened and how PV asset owners can protect themselves against such incidents.

Scientists from three leading Australian research organisations have developed the first proof-of-concept quantum battery, demonstrating the potential for rapid, scalable charging and energy storage based on principles of ollective effects.

The Goulburn Community Solar Farm and battery project in New South Wales has been commissioned with Chinese manufacturing giant Trinasolar saying the milestone highlights key shifts in large-scale project delivery.

Chinese solar inverter and storage solutions company Sungrow has launched its CEC-approved PowerKeeper Series in Australia for commercial and industrial applications.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new rooftop solar module offers 455–475 W power, 22.8–23.8% efficiency, 96-cell double-glass design, and IP68 protection.

Researchers from the Australian National University and Longi used photoluminescence imaging to analyse dopant distributions in RCz-grown silicon wafers doped with antimony, phosphorus, and gallium, finding highly uniform radial concentration profiles suitable for high-efficiency solar cells. The study also found that antimony-doped wafers provide more stable axial doping along the ingot, highlighting their potential for next-generation PV manufacturing.

Sigenergy has launched a 166 kW IP66-rated inverter for C&I solar and storage offering nine MPPT trackers and flexible AC/DC connections. The launch coincided with the opening of its Nantong Smart Energy Centre in China, a 136,000 m² facility for R&D, manufacturing, and global delivery.

The Queensland government has launched a $200 million fund to support the private sector in delivering “bespoke” renewable energy generation, battery and microgrid projects across the state’s northwest.

Sydney-headquartered gentailer AGL has begun commissioning of the first 250 MW of the 1,000 MWh Liddell Battery at the Hunter Energy Hub in New South Wales.

China-headquartered residential battery company EnergyLIB has debuted its first home battery system in Australia: the EnergyLIB HomeStack and the EnergyLIB Inverter.

Japanese clean energy infrastructure solutions company GBP K.K. has announced the launch of a mesh security fencing solution for grid-scale solar developments and acoustic panel fencing for utility battery storage sites for developments close to residential areas.

China’s 2026 to 2030 policy plan elevates clean electricity as a central driver of economic growth, with greater emphasis on system integration and industrial use.