David Carroll
Shift in energy system helps Victoria smash emissions targets
Victoria’s ongoing transition to renewable energy sources, including the installation of hundreds of thousands of rooftop solar PV systems, has helped the state “smash” its 2020 emission reduction targets on the path to net zero by 2050.
Electric planes are coming: Short-hop regional flights could be running on batteries in a few years
Electric planes might seem futuristic, but they aren’t that far off, at least for short hops. Two-seater Velis Electros are already quietly buzzing around Europe, electric sea planes are being tested in British Columbia, and larger planes are coming.
UK investment firm makes $36 million move into NSW solar market
United Kingdom-headquartered investment firm Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities has increased its Australian solar PV portfolio, committing $36 million (£21.2 million) to acquire three more solar projects with a combined capacity of 15 MW.
Solar-powered ‘backpacks’ to help bring birds back from brink
Tiny solar-powered, satellite backpacks are being used to track one of Australia’s rarest bird species as part of a 10-year, $175 million conservation effort between the New South Wales, South Australian and Victorian governments.
Todd proposes 400 MW solar farm for New Zealand’s North Island
New Zealand’s large-scale solar PV market is poised for a momentous shift with energy company Todd Generation pursuing plans to establish a 400 MW solar farm at Rangitāiki on the North Island.
FTC Solar unveils new self-powered tracking system
United States-based engineering firm FTC Solar has unveiled a new self-powered solar tracking system which it says requires up to 36% fewer foundations than existing technologies and enables an estimated 5% greater energy output for a given parcel of land.
AGL plots solar and storage microgrid for farming operation
Electricity supplier AGL Energy will deploy a solar-powered microgrid featuring 5.4 MWh of battery energy storage on a commercial orchard in the New South Wales Riverina region in a bid to reduce the horticultural operation’s reliance on diesel-fuelled generators.
Solar installers stripped of licences after logging false claims
Seven solar installers in New South Wales have had their electrical contractor licences stripped by the state government regulator after investigations found they had signed off on rooftop PV installations while they were interstate or overseas.
Now, we begin: Simple ways to make Australia’s climate game truly next-level
Australia last week moved to tackle the climate crisis when federal parliament passed Labor’s climate bill. But the new law is just the first step. Over the next eight years to 2030, we must get on a steep trajectory of emissions reductions.
CER investigating potential $1.5 million solar panel fraud
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has this week executed search warrants on several residential and commercial addresses connected to a Perth-based solar PV retail and installation business as part of an investigation into a potential $1.5 million solar panel fraud.
