Australian households, small businesses and community organisations have installed a record-setting 200,000 battery energy storage systems since the launch of the federal rebate in July with the $7.2 billion initiative now expected to deliver more than 2 million home batteries by 2030.

The Australian government will pump almost $25 million into a national solar panel recycling program in a bid to reduce landfill and recover valuable metals and minerals that can support the renewable energy transition.

Incat Tasmania has started harbour trials of the largest battery-electric ship constructed to date with the 130-metre vessel moving under its own battery-electric propulsion for the first time.

Fortescue’s plans to build one of Australia’s largest solar farms have cleared another regulatory hurdle with the federal government’s environmental watchdog providing the tick of approval for the 644 MW project planned for Western Australia.

Researchers from Australia’s national science agency have teamed with Malaysian authorities to explore how different battery chemistries perform under tropical stressors like heat, humidity and corrosion, and what this means for durability, safety and cost-effectiveness.

The federal government has unveiled new details of its plan to create a $1.2 billion critical mineral reserve. Three minerals will initially be the focus: antimony, gallium and rare earths (a group of 17 different elements).

Renewable energy platform Anza Power has launched in the Australian and New Zealand markets with the acquisition of a 1.4 GW pipeline of solar developments and more than 3.4 GWh of battery energy storage projects from developer Bison Energy.

The Australian government has issued a recall notice for Swedish carmaker Volvo’s electric EX30 SUV due to a potential battery defect that could cause overheating and a vehicle fire.

As many PV plants approach the midpoint in their typical lifespan of 25 to 35 years, the industry faces crucial decisions about what comes next. Much of the focus so far has been on managing modules, particularly on recovering their silicon and other materials. But the conversation must also extend to mounting structures. As the backbone of all solar plants, these structures represent a significant share of material use and a plant’s embodied carbon footprint.

Synergy’s plans to build a 2 GW solar, wind and battery project in Western Australia’s Mid West have cleared a major regulatory hurdle with the state’s environment watchdog waving the project through.