Construction starts on UQ’s Warwick Solar Farm
Works have been launched on the 64 MW solar farm is the Darling Downs region. Once completed, the project could make the University of Queensland the world’s first university to offset 100% of its electricity needs from its own renewable energy asset.
Renewable energy jobs surge thanks to solar PV
Rooftop solar remained the biggest employer in the Australian renewable energy sector last financial year, but it was large-scale solar PV that stole the limelight as it emerged as the second largest contributor of direct full-time jobs.
Getting (almost) all our energy from the sun by 2050
Solar could meet approximately 68% of global energy demand with other renewables making up the rest, according to a new report. A 100% renewable energy system could also create 22 million solar jobs by 2050, the study claims. Keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees C, though, would require FITs for projects up to 40 MW in capacity, auctions for bigger systems, removing fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies and providing more education and R&D and less red tape.
Labor unveils climate policy package with 50% EV target by 2030
A new major aspect of Labor’s climate policy announcement on Monday was a national electric vehicle (EV) target with half of the cars on the Australian roads to be electric by 2030, and fuel emissions standards for all vehicles.
Victoria to require installers to sign CEC’s Code of Conduct for Solar Homes
The Victorian government is giving smaller solar installers eight months to sign up to the Clean Energy Council’s Solar Retailer Code of Conduct if they want to qualify for the Solar Homes program. For larger retailers, the deadline to become Approved Solar Retailers is July.
Sunshine Energy: “A $1.5 billion project…we cannot get that kind of money from Australia”
Following a sod-turning ceremony that took place without much fanfare in south-east Queensland two weeks ago, Sunshine Energy Australia CEO Anthony John Youssef provides some detail on a 1.5 GW solar PV and 500 MWh energy storage project. While light on details about the financing structure, Youssef sets out the proposed construction timeline that, he hopes, will not be thwarted by two appeals lodged against the development.
Decmil breaks ground on 255 MW Sunraysia Solar Farm
Maoneng Australia, John Laing and Decmil have hosted a sod-turning ceremony on-site in Balranald, NSW. The developer has confirmed the solar farm will be co-located with a large-scale grid connected battery, and stated its plans for an additional 500 MW of solar and energy storage to be added in line with the proposed SA-NSW interconnector.
NSW Labor commits to train 4,500 skilled solar electricians
After announcing a policy to drive 9 GW of renewable energy within a decade if elected, NSW Labor has pledged to invest $11 million to train and accredit electricians to install and maintain the new solar energy infrastructure in the state.
CEC releases compilation of women speakers for the renewable era
The Clean Energy Council will officially launch its Speakers Guide to Women in Renewables next week. Its intention is to accelerate industry development with diverse insights, and inspire young women to fill looming skills gaps in a booming field.
Industry execs identify grid connection, policy uncertainty as top challenges
A survey run by the Clean Energy Council among senior executives, leading with a combined net worth of more than $17 billion, shows that clean energy investment confidence is strong. The majority of companies are looking to put on extra staff in the next year. However, challenges in achieving project grid connection and policy uncertainty are causing great stress in the long run.
