Weekend read: Cracking cell defect detection
After years of improving quality standards, solar cell cracking appears to be on the rise again, perhaps due to new manufacturers entering the sector. Clean Energy Associates’ (CEA) senior engineering manager Claire Kearns-McCoy considers ways to stop the rot.
Consumers say bigger is better for rooftop solar but on a budget
Solar panel and system prices are on the decline but figures provided by energy industry analyst SunWiz show that an increasing number of Australian households are opting to forgo savings in search of increased generation capacity.
Pilot Energy lodges plans for 375 MW solar farm in WA’s mid-west
Oil and gas producer Pilot Energy has filed plans to build a 375 MWdc solar farm in Western Australia’s mid-west as part of the company’s longer-term strategy to leverage its existing assets into the production of clean energy.
New joint venture targets 2 GW solar and storage build-out
Hong Kong-based private equity firm Gaw Capital Partners has teamed with Asian energy storage business BW ESS in a renewable energy venture that intends to develop more than 2 GW of utility-scale solar and battery projects in Australia.
Fortescue commits to major manufacturing facility in US
Fortescue has announced plans to open its first manufacturing centre in the United States, partnering with the state of Michigan to establish a production hub for automotive and heavy industry batteries, fast chargers and hydrogen electrolysers.
Energy transition speeds up as rooftop PV records tumble
Australia’s rooftop solar sector continues to shine bright with new data from the Australian Energy Market Operator revealing that distributed PV output across the main grid reached a record high in the final quarter of 2023.
Rio inks long-term offtake agreement for 1.1 GW Queensland solar plant
Resources giant Rio Tinto has signed Australia’s largest yet corporate power purchase agreement – agreeing to buy 100% of the output from European Energy Australia’s 1.1 GW Upper Calliope Solar Farm to provide renewable power to its aluminium operations in Queensland.
Developer eyes new opportunities after Mudgee solar farm rejected
Renewables company ITP Development will continue to look for opportunities in regional New South Wales despite the Land and Environment Court having killed off the company’s plans to build a large-scale solar farm near Mudgee in the state’s central west.
Harmony syncs with First Renewables on 150 MW NZ solar farm
Renewable energy infrastructure developer Harmony Energy will team with New Zealand clean energy aspirant First Renewables to build what is expected to be the largest solar farm in the country when it is commissioned in 2026.
EnergyCo announces access rights update for Central-West Orana REZ
Renewable energy generators chasing access rights to the new Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone network will be presented with a streamlined application process as the New South Wales government prioritises achieving financial close on the network project.
