Australia is tracking towards 75% electricity from solar and wind in 2030, which makes it a global energy transition pathfinder. Pathfinders are important because they learn to solve new problems and disprove misinformation and disinformation.

As we all reflect on the recent elections in both Western Australia and federally, one clear winner is the future of virtual power plants as a clean energy cornerstone across Australia.

Australia’s energy system is changing. While there’s been a lot of talk about the size and scale of the task before us, there’s been little conversation about who – in a very practical sense – will build the energy system of the future.

Australia’s rooftop solar industry has renewed calls for a mandatory recycling scheme to deal with the growing problem of solar panel waste. Only about 10% of panels are currently recycled. The rest are stockpiled, sent overseas or dumped in landfill.

Autumn has fast emerged as a volatile and uncertain time in the National Electricity Market as unpredictable weather patterns often deliver a mixed bag of renewable energy outcomes. As the energy transition trundles on, this seasonal variability is likely to remain a defining feature.

The Philippines government has kicked off its fourth green energy auction (GEA-4), targeting more than 10 GW of solar and wind capacity.

Greek renewables and resources company Metelen Energy and Metals has refinanced a portfolio of seven solar farms spread across New South Wales and Queensland in a $460 million deal.

Australian rooftop solar sharing technology developer Allume Energy has closed a $10.4 million investment round, the proceeds of which will be used to accelerate the company’s international expansion into the United Kingdom and European markets.

Perth-based contractor GenusPlus Group has been tapped to design and build the 400 MWh Merredin battery energy storage system being developed in Western Australia’s central Wheatbelt region.

Researchers at the University of Queensland are leading a project aiming to improve how hybrid renewable power plants – typically including solar and/or wind, along with battery energy storage – connect into Australia’s electricity grid.

Cloud computing giant Amazon will invest $20 billion over the next five years to expand its data centre network in Australia with the funding to also support the development of three new solar farms with more than 250 MW capacity.

One of Australia’s largest solar projects has been energised with developer Neoen confirming that its 350 MW Culcairn Solar Farm in the New South Wales Riverina Murray region has entered the commissioning phase.

New research from Hong Kong confirms that rooftop PV systems could raise daytime temperatures in urban environments. The scientists explained that although their findings highlight important urban resilience considerations, they should not detract from the broader benefits of PV systems for energy sustainability and carbon reduction.

The Australian Energy Market Operator’s frequency performance payments reform future proofs the national electricity market setting real-time incentives for fast and flexible assets like batteries.

Recent studies forecast Australia is on the precipice of a rooftop solar and household battery boom, predicting record breaking installation numbers driven by falling battery and solar module prices, government rebates and cost-of-living pressures.

An international research team has developed a hydrogel composite that absorbs moisture in solar modules overnight and facilitates evaporative cooling throughout daylight hours. The system has undergone lab tests and outdoor experiments on two continents.

The Renewable Energy Test Center has released its 2025 PV Module Index, assessing solar module reliability, quality, and performance across industry benchmarks. The report highlights manufacturers that meet high standards in long-term durability and energy yield.

Siemens Energy Australia Managing Director Sam Morillon likens the energy transition of Australia to having the spirit of Suez, an ambitious, globally significant 19th century canal building project, and sees potential for a nationwide master grid at scale here, that includes Western Australia.

Australian battery tech startup Voltavate has secured $850,000 in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round led by $1.22 billion global alternative investment management firm Artesian.

A new report calls for mandated solar installations on all new residential and industrial buildings in Sydney to help transform the city into an urban renewable energy zone capable of generating three quarters of its annual energy needs.

Chinese solar manufacturer Longi has unveiled a new PV module with 25.9% efficiency, produced using both low- and high-temperature passivation techniques.

A new report commissioned by Energy Consumers Australia is calling for the establishment of an independent national consumer energy resources body with adequate powers to boost participation in the national electricity market.

Australian printed solar tech company Kardinia Energy and globally acclaimed rock band Coldplay have together delivered one of the largest live-event deployments of mobile solar while providing a high-profile test for organic, ink-based photovoltaics.

JinkoSolar led global PV module shipments in 2024, followed by JA Solar, Longi, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar, according to Wood Mackenzie. The research firm notes a growing shift toward full vertical integration among top manufacturers.

A feasability study for a Brisbane 55-unit residential apartment building to install rooftop solar and electric vehicle charging stations, completed by New South Wales-based solar comparison business Solar Choice, has resulted in the installation of 40 kW system, with room for future expansion.

United States-based energy storage tech giant Fluence Energy has announced an expansion of its Australian headquarters in Melbourne after locking in a “tailored investment” provided by the Victorian government.

Australian-owned renewables developer ACEnergy has received connection approval for a four-hour capacity grid-forming battery energy storage project to be built in northwest Victoria.

Sungrow has launched the PowerTitan 3.0 battery energy storage system, built around a 684 Ah cell and a fully liquid-cooled silicon carbide power conversion system.

The New South Wales government has ended its home battery installation rebate, announcing it will instead provide up to $1,500 to households and small businesses that install a battery energy storage system and connect it to a virtual power plant.

Researchers at Deakin University have launched a first-of-its-kind project exploring how Australian households and small businesses with solar and or battery systems can sell their excess clean energy to others without the technology.