CRC-P awards $8.34 million for three green projects
Under the Cooperative Research Center Program 4th Selection Round, the Australian Federal Government will extend a grant for a smart home energy management system. Other awarded green projects involve an energy storage technology alternative for lithium-ion batteries and innovative generation of low cost, zero-emission, reliable electricity.
November’s rooftop record, large C&I, storage still to come
A major milestone was surpassed in the Australian PV market last month, indicating that the rooftop solar sector is in robust health. However, not tracked in the figures underlying the record are large commercial rooftops and distributed battery storage, and reports are that here too strong growth is being achieved.
APAC remains Enphase Energy’s hotspot, makes Indian market entry
Enphase has entered the Indian PV market, supplying 2,858 of its microinverters to a 1 MW commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop project nearby to the city of Bangalore. The rooftop project sprawls over six roofs of an agriculture product processing facility.
European PV market expected to grow by 35% in 2018 – GTM Research
European countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain are all forecast to be gigawatt-scale markets in 2018. Globally, around 606 GW of new PV capacity is forecast to be installed between 2017 and 2022.
Todae Solar completes 1.77 MW rooftop PV Charles Sturt University
Sydney-based commercial rooftop solar specialists Todae Solar opened one of Australia’s largest rooftop PV array at Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus this week. The multi-rooftop system comes in at 1.77 MW and will provide “an immediate financial benefit” to CSU.
Horizon Power to shave peak with MyPower, opportunity for batteries
Western Australian regional utility Horizon Power is rolling out a new program to incentivize consumers to reduce their consumption during peak hours. The higher fixed tariff may penalize solar homes; however, it does presents an opportunity for battery storage.
ARENA grants $1.9 million for distributed energy trials in WA
Western Australia’s electricity provider Horizon Power is set to receive a financial shot in the arm to install various distributed energy technologies in 90 homes and businesses in the coastal town of Carnarvon, which is home to the state’s first utility-scale energy storage, currently under trial.
Solar Saves Lives: The U.S. solar industry launches major hurricane relief effort
The Solar Foundation and 20 solar companies and organizations have joined forces with the Clinton Foundation, Operation Blessing and others to help bring power and clean water to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Queensland: Gympie council grants permission for 350 MW solar farm
A massive solar farm in the north-east Australian state of Queensland has received a green light from the Gympie Regional Council. The project aims to scale up to 800 MW of solar+storage capacity over the next four years.
BayWa r.e. connects pilot PV+storage project in Zambia
The renewables arm of the agricultural giant BayWa has completed an 86 kW PV + storage project, which will power irrigation equipment for farmers in Zambia. BayWa r.e. notes that demand for offgrid systems, including storage, for irrigation and other agricultural systems is set to grow.
