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.

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.

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.

Construction of a large-scale solar-powered green hydrogen and ammonia development in Western Australia will begin next month with ammonia producer Yara and the Australian arm of French renewables giant Engie announcing on Friday the final investment decision on the $87.1 million project.

Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies including solar PV and green hydrogen by 2050 could save the world at least $18 trillion (US$12 trillion), according to a peer-reviewed study published by researchers from Britain’s Oxford University and Australia’s Monash University.

The New South Wales government has moved to fast track the development of the 700 MW/1400 MWh Waratah Super Battery as it looks to shore up a reliable energy supply ahead of the impending closure of the country’s biggest coal generator.

A team of engineers from the University of New South Wales has taken inspiration from a bridge in South Korea to develop a new magnetically driven motor which has the potential to increase the range of electric vehicles.

Among the many similarities between California and Australia, both are impacted by bushfires and climate change, and both are home to larger cars and trucks than is the norm in developed countries. They are dissimilar, though, when it comes to electric vehicles and vehicle regulations. While California has been pursuing low-carbon and electric vehicles for decades, Australia has trailed most developed nations.

American investment behemoth BlackRock has agreed to acquire New Zealand rooftop solar PV and battery energy storage specialist SolarZero as part of its push into renewable energy in the Asia Pacific region.

The Australian arm of French renewable energy developer Neoen has lodged an application to build a 1000 MW /4000 MWh big battery in Western Australia as the state government looks to ramp up energy storage capacity to support its planned transition from coal-fired power to renewables.