“Over 10% less”: six solar farms slammed by proposed MLFs
Proposed marginal loss factors (MLFs) will result in six utility scale solar projects receiving a 10% or more reduction in revenues, at current prices and if imposed as proposed by AEMO. Worsening MLFs add to mounting pressures for large scale PV project developers in 2019.
Australian first climate bond gives investors new access to solar and storage market
In what is described as Australian first climate bond, which gives investors access to new ways to invest in solar and storage, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has contributed $10 million towards the latest of FlexiGroup’s green bond issuances. The inclusion of energy storage in the underlying asset base is viewed as an important market development.
Australia renewables supply reaches 21.2%, rooftops provide record solar contribution
While renewables continue to do their bit on decarbonizing the energy sector, national emissions, especially in the transport sector, continue to rise amid a lack of any federal or state government limits, The Australia Institute warns. Total renewable supply, including rooftop solar, is at 21.2% of generation from all sources across the NEM, eating into the share once firmly held by coal and gas.
Solar to help power Sand Bypass System on Gold Coast
One of the Gold Coast’s most iconic pieces of infrastructure, the Sand Bypass System, will soon welcome a 100 kW solar array as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing operational costs.
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.
Insurer issues cyclone warning for Queensland solar farms
Last year, Sun Metals insurer FM Global proposed cyclone testing the company’s 125 MW solar infrastructure near Townsville in Queensland, to better understand the risks involved in covering the asset against damage. The insurer today called for standardised testing of solar-farm designs proposed for the country’s north east, and the application of clear building guidelines that safeguard vital renewable infrastructure.
Hydrogen home storage, refueling hub get financial shot into the arm
Toyota Australia will transform its former manufacturing site in West Melbourne into a renewable energy hub to produce green hydrogen with the help of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). In other hydrogen-related news, researchers at UNSW Sydney with partners H2Store have received a $3.5 million investment from Providence Asset Group to develop a hydrogen residential storage.
Australia’s first solar farm in Antarctica opens at Casey research station
A 30 kW vertical array has powered up at Australia’s Casey research station in Antarctica. The project is one the largest solar installations on the southernmost, ice-covered continent.
Risen breaks ground on 132 MW Merredin Solar Farm
A groundbreaking ceremony took place last Friday at the Chinese PV module maker’s utility-scale PV project in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region.
Canadian Solar CEO: Energy storage key to sustaining long-term, stable Australian PV market
Canadian Solar has been acquiring utility scale projects and signing module supply and EPC deals at a rapid pace in recent months. For Shawn Qu, Canadian’s Founder and CEO, he would prefer the market to continue at a stable level, rather than boom and bust. And he argues that the dual role of module maker and developer delivers value insights into pricing and technology trades – giving the company an advantage over rivals.
