Australia’s policy maker for the energy markets has approved the establishment a national register of small-scale distributed energy resources, which will give AEMO and distribution network businesses more data to help in planning and operating the power system as it transforms.

AGL has announced it will no longer install solar panels on homes, a decision which has brought with it a $47 million loss.

The developers that emerged as winners in the Victorian government’s first renewable energy auction have confirmed receiving support agreements from the state to ensure revenue certainty for the projects. The companies have also outlined their construction plans, some of which even include batteries.

As mining companies become more aware of the rapidly falling costs of renewables, wind and solar are set become a growing trend in powering mining operations worldwide over the coming years, shows a new report from Fitch Solutions. On the back of carbon pricing schemes, countries and companies operating in the Americas are best positioned to lead the way in the adoption of renewables in mining.

Although initially expected to deliver around 650 MW, Victoria’s first renewable energy auction has smashed the goal, delivering 928 MW of renewable capacity. Six projects will be developed in total, three wind and three solar, under the state’s renewable energy target. In a separate announcement, the Andrews government promised to provide half price solar batteries for 10,000 Victorian households, if re-elected.

In what is set to become its largest infrastructure investment to date, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is backing the expansion of three Northern Territory airports, with a $150 million loan. Among other development works, the funding will cover construction of solar farms across all three sites.

Chinese wind turbine supplier and project developer Goldwind is looking to offload its Australian wind and large scale solar development pipeline, according to reporting from the Australian Financial Review. The move amounts to one of the first international players looking to exit the Australian renewables marketplace in the face of policy chaos.

Following a grant from the Victorian government, Origin Energy is gearing up to connect solar and battery systems of up to 650 residential and commercial properties across the state, in what will be its first virtual power plant and the largest one in Victoria to date.

Clearway Energy Group has been formed from NRG’s renewable energy businesses and SunPower’s project pipeline. The move echoes GIP’s acquisition of Equis Energy, which now renamed Vena Energy is developing a GW-scale pipeline in Australia.

If all planned renewable energy projects were to proceed, Queensland would be in line for a $24 billion injection into the state’s economy and over 35,000 new jobs, argues a new Solar Citizens report.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has offered funding to nine Australian universities and research organizations to propel innovation in green hydrogen export.

WA-based solar glass developer has signed an MoU with smart street sign and ‘furniture’ producer yStop to integrate its thin film solar glass into bus shelters and illuminated street signs. The MoU, signed with yStop parent Global Smart Cities, is for an exclusive distribution agreement in WA for the integration of ClearVue’s solar glass in bus shelters, and nationally in its LED-illuminated street signs.

Australia’s first commercial installation of printed solar cells, made using specialised semiconducting inks and printed using a conventional reel-to-reel printer, has been installed on a factory roof in Newcastle.

Speculations that delayed financial results spelled troubles have proved remarkably accurate – one of Australia’s leading EPC contractors has taken a huge write-down on two Queensland solar projects, and reported $16 million net loss.

As part of its state-wide microgrid funding promise, the Labor Government has allocated a total of $980,000 for the Ovida Community Energy Hub project, which will install shared solar PV and battery systems in three multi-tenanted buildings in Melbourne.

Building on earlier collaboration, Kostal and BYD are looking to further strengthen their ties under a new deal, which will see them provide storage solutions to the residential and commercial solar segments.

According to the Taiwanese analysts, the solar PV module market is still stable. However, EnergyTrend expects a new price war to erupt with the end of minimum import tariffs (MIPs). In particular, Taiwanese manufacturers will have to cope with increasing price pressure.

Contracts have been inked for the Chinese manufacturer to supply a combined 377.6 MWp of tracking systems for two Australian projects. To ensure its presence in the market, the company is setting up a subsidiary Down Under.

Production of high-efficiency solar PV modules in the Austrian region of Carinthia should commence as early as December 2018. Using a fully automated production line, Energetica Industries says it is well equipped for competition with Asian manufacturers.

The trademark all-in-one product of the Austrian inverter specialist is now compatible with the LG Chem storage solutions.

During the past three years, Philipp Schröder has built up and consolitaded the sonnen brand. Now the self-proclaimed “Sonnen Warrior” is going his own way, although he will remain an advisor to the German storage provider. Managing Director, Christoph Ostermann regrets the departure, but emphasizes that with the strong management team that has been established, he will continue to promote the company’s growth.

Renewables are stealing the march over coal in Australia, and the international outlook is for lower coal demand. Today the international Coal Transitions project released its findings, based on global coal scenarios and detailed case studies by teams in China, India, South Africa, Australia, Poland and Germany.

The South Australian government says it is looking to implement a series of reforms to improve the reliability, affordability and security of the state’s energy market. According to its latest state budget, released on Tuesday, it has allocated $180 million to execute the program.

The ASX-listed retail asset manager is set to roll out a massive commercial solar project, which will see an accumulated 31.8 MW of solar PV installed on shopping centers across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

Wrapping up the year in which it established its wholly-owned manufacturing facility in Thailand, the Brisbane-based battery supplier says it is negotiating contracts with a number of customers, sharpening its focus on key target markets in Australasia, Asia Pacific and South Africa.