Jonathan Gifford
Australian Solar Council warns of risk to commercial STCs
The peak solar body has warned that the Australian Federal Government is planning to abolish STCs for commercial solar projects – threatening one of the fastest growing market segments.
CEFC to finance first unsubsidized utility scale battery
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will provide $150 million in debt finance for the 212 MW Lincoln Gap wind farm. The project will include a utility scale battery system capable of provider 10 MWh of ‘fast response’ storage capacity.
First sonnenFlat system installed in New South Wales
The first sonnen system to be installed in Australia under the sonnenFlat pricing structure will save the family $2,000 on their electricity bills. Installer Natural Solar made the claim on Friday, when announcing the landmark system.
Ingeteam turns to the skies for PV power plant optimization
Spanish inverter supplier Ingeteam is taking part in a research program deploying drones to inspect existing PV power plants, to spot the causes of underperformance. The SCARAB project is headed by the company and has been provided with almost €650,000 (AU$980,000) in funding from the Spanish government.
Redflow targets 250 batteries per month from Thai facility
Zinc-bromide flow battery produced Redflow has announced that it is targeting production of 3,000 batteries a month from its new production facility in Thailand. Operation at the site is slated to begin by the end of 2017.
ING steps into Australian market, to finance 100 MW Clare Solar Farm
ING has joined the banking syndicate backing the 100 MW Clare Solar Farm, in North Queensland. The deal marks ING’s first large scale solar investment in Australia.
Winaico to launch HJT modules in Australian market
Taiwanese module maker Winaico is set to launch its heterojunction (HJT) PV modules in Q2 2018. The high powered PV panels feature a favourable temperature co-efficient, offering a high powered module for high temperature rooftop applications.
Interview: China’s PV developers see opportunities in Australian market growth
Chinese PV component suppliers and project developers are continuing to push strongly in to international markets and are eyeing up new opportunities in Australia. Tenders, hybrid arrays and agri-PV all represent opportunities.
VRET passed into law
The Victorian Andrews Labor Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) has passed into law. The move mandates 25% of the state’s electricity is to be sourced from renewables by 2020 and 40% by 2025.
Uncertainty reigns for WA under NEG
The future of solar deployment in Western Australia remains uncertain under the Federal Government’s National Energy Guarantee policy. Excluded from the program, WA solar proponents report that market conditions “may get even harder” for PV in the state.
