“Australia’s last chance”: BZE publishes renewables powered Million Jobs Report
Every crisis is a crossroads, and Australia is certainly at a crossroads. This week, a host of climate, development and investment leaders are backing Beyond Zero Emission’s green scaffolded Million Jobs Plan of Covid-19 economic recovery.
Ikea invests more in solar by the day
The Swedish furniture giant has said it will turn one of its Australian superstores into its first 100% renewables-powered solar+storage retail project. Australia is also home to the company’s first expansion of its retail solar offering, Solstråle.
SA Water’s solar splash undaunted by Covid-19, proposes more solar
Despite unprecedented economy-wide impacts brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, SA Water’s planned $300 million solar and energy splash in 2020 has managed to stay on track. Not only do the utility’s ambitions for a zero energy cost future remain within reach, but the utility is already planning more solar.
Solar exceeds all expectations in NSW coal-country
The City of Newcastle, home to the world’s busiest coal harbour, has seen its 5 MW solar farm generate double its projected revenue in the first six months of operation. The profits are a resounding endorsement and vindication of the Council’s audacious 100% renewable generation achievement.
Legislative fix provides a little array of regional sunshine
The best laid plans can go awry, as a recent well-intended amendment to laws governing small-scale solar installations in NSW demonstrated. Action by the NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment, spurred by a determined solar entrepreneur, have saved developers of ground-mounted solar a stack of time and money.
NT Rooftop Solar in Schools rolls out as VIC looks to follow suit
The Northern Territory’s rollout of solar panel installation at 25 schools is picking up speed, and Victoria is looking to follow suit after announcing the application period open for its Greener Government School Buildings program following the success of a pilot program.
CER reports significant decline in potentially unsafe PV systems
A very small number of PV systems installed on Australian rooftops are considered to be potentially unsafe, the Clean Energy Regulator’s new report finds. Water entering DC isolators is identified as the greatest risk and the most common cause of PV system failures.
Risen Energy signs 150 MW Australian distribution agreement
Chinese module supplier and project developer Risen Energy has signed its largest distribution agreement in Australia with One Stop Warehouse looking to bring new products to the market, including its ultra-high-power 500 Wp+ solar modules.
Cleantech Solar secures Asia Pacific’s largest ever C&I green loan
Singapore-based commercial and industrial solar developer Cleantech Solar has secured a US$75 million in green finance from ING Bank, the Asia Pacific’s largest ever C&I solar green loan. As the world’s fastest growing electricity market, South East Asia is crying out for this kind of investment.
South Australia’s rooftop solar could be switched off on the way to 100% renewables
Under a new plan to stabilize its grid, the South Australian State Government is providing $10 million to upgrade its voltage management and giving the green light to the Australian Energy Market Operator to stop its rooftop solar from feeding in when needed. The plan also highlights the importance “smart” PV and stronger network interconnection, primarily the new SA-NSW line a.k.a. Project EnergyConnect.
