As the deployment of renewable energy continues to expand around the world, driven by various inputs, such as capital allocation and investment, falling capital costs, competitive LCOE and various policy mechanisms, we are now moving towards a new era for renewable energy. ‘Renewables 2.0’ will have significant, wide-ranging consequences for all market players, as regulators reduce their support and power producers seek new revenue models. In this article, Duncan Ritchie, partner at Apricum – The Cleantech Advisory, will look at the key market developments for renewables, explode the myth of grid parity, highlight the need for flexibility and explain the importance of new financing solutions that are capable of meeting the new complexities brought about by ‘Renewables 2.0’.

Heath Frewin, the Head of Distribution at Energy Networks Australia sets out the “growing ethical dilemma” brought on by rising rooftop solar adoption.

Australia’s first community battery trial will see a bulk Tesla battery integrated into existing grid and owned and operated by Western Power and Synergy.

Mercedes Benz execs join Eguana Technologies to help drive Calgary-based business’ global expansion plans.

According to a new scorecard released by the Climate Council, Tasmania, the ACT and SA are leading the nation in renewable energy adoption, while WA and the NT are lagging at the back of the pack.

The goal of the Business Renewables Center initiative is to help Australian businesses and local governments procure 1 GW of installed renewable energy by 2022 and 5 GW by 2030.

The World Energy Council, in partnership with PwC, has interviewed 39 top level management energy leaders to find out if blockchain is driving an evolution or a revolution in the energy ecosystem.

After addressing grid connection challenges, the French renewables giant has launched construction on the 256.5 MWp Kiamal Solar Farm. It is now looking to add a second stage of up to 194 MWp, and is exploring commercial options for the approved 380 MWh of energy storage.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency announced it was partnering with Monash University and software provider Indra Australia to trial a microgrid on Monash’s Clayton campus in Melbourne. The microgrid will cover 100% of the campuses’ electricity needs with renewable energy.

The Chinese PV module maker has expanded its solar portfolio Down Under with the acquisition of what will be Western Australia’s largest solar farm. Construction is slated to begin this year.

South Australia’s largest water and sewerage services supplier is set to add a utility-scale PV project to its solar fleet, as part of its plan to achieve zero net electricity costs by 2020. The project will feature solar modules provided by Chinese module giant JA Solar.

The Victorian government has given the green light to a utility-scale solar farm north of Shepparton and released draft planning guidelines for the development of large solar farm projects across the state.

At first glance, the European PV conference last week has confirmed the widespread view that the upswing of monocrystalline technology will accelerate. But a closer look reveals that multicrystalline solar cells are still in the game.

The University of New South Wales has unveiled a 500 kWh Tesla Powerpack battery at its campus as part of a ten-year energy research trial in partnership with NSW’s electricity transmission network operator TransGrid.

The Chinese-Canadian module manufacturer says its P4-based BiHiKu panel, for large commercial and utility-scale solar projects, is able to provide up to 30 per cent additional output from the rear side.

Researchers at Western Australia’s Curtin University have developed a low-cost and environmentally friendly method to capture solar power and produce clean fuels such as hydrogen.

The Dunsborough Community Energy Project is announced as Australia’s first privately funded virtual power plant.

Despite lowering its 2018 sales and earning guidance, the German solar PV inverter manufacturer is moving forward with solutions, and is now looking to introduce a new three-phase string inverter to the Australian market. SMA says Australia has become one of its key PV markets.

Solar battery systems should maintain power supply when the grid goes down. Right? Well, it’s not always that simple. A recent pv magazine Australia webinar, hosted in partnership with SMA, was looking into different homeowner needs and ways to install an emergency power or ‘full home backup’ system. Here are the answers to some of the webinar attendee’s questions.

The final order from the U.S. Trade Representative includes an interim tariff rate of 10% set to start on September 24.

Canadian Solar Inc. says it has entered into agreements with Dr. Shawn Qu and several unidentified potential equity partners regarding the plans to take the manufacturer private. It has also sold 30 MW worth of PV plants to its infrastructure fund in Japan.

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.

WA-based renewable energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy has announced the departure of its long-serving managing director Michael Ottaviano and reveled major updates on its projects, including the 10 MW Northam Solar Farm and its solar/battery microgrid projects.

Sydney-based publicly listed Genex Power has announced it has received a development approval for a 250 MW pumped storage hydro project, as part of its landmark renewable energy hub in far-north Queensland.

U.S. firm SolarReserve is moving on its massive solar thermal plant project in South Australia having signed a memorandum of understanding with local outfit Heliostat SA.

German-headquartered project developer juwi Renewable Energy has inked an agreement with the University of Queensland to deliver a solar+storage hybrid power solution at its research station located in the Great Barrier Reef.

Renewable energy sources, notably solar and wind, are reaching price and performance parity on and off the grid, shows a new Deloitte Global report, highlighting seven trends that are driving this transformation.