Installations

The Generating Authority of Thailand has announced that a 24 MW floating hydro-solar hybrid project has commenced commercial operations in the country’s northeast. The installation is part of wider plans to develop 16 floating solar projects with a combined capacity of 2,725 MW.

A Queensland tech start-up says it has developed an AI-based all-in-one solar farm operation and maintenance system that promises to boost the reliability of solar projects and could save the renewable energy industry $200 million a year.

Investment bank Macquarie Group has sold its share in the 26 GW Australian Renewable Energy Hub megaproject proposed for Western Australia’s Pilbara region to oil and gas giant bp.

Chinese manufacturer Aiko showcased its GEN 2 N-type ABC (All Back Contact) modules at last week’s Smart Energy Expo, where the technology’s shade optimisation, enabled by its cells’ bypass diode function, made a splash. Pv magazine spoke to Aiko’s leadership about how its technology works and how the Australian market entrant plans to position itself down under.

The central Victorian community of Newstead is one step closer to seeing its solar farm dream realised with gen-tailer Flow Power announcing that it has reached mechanical completion of a 3 MW PV power plant that will generate clean energy to supply the local community,

Australia’s largest nuclear organisation has turned to solar to supply part of its energy requirements in a move that is expected to deliver savings of about $2 million over a five-year period.

Solar technology manufacturer Trina Solar has developed an all-black version of its Vertex S+ solar module range that has a power output of up to 450 W with maximum efficiency of 22.5%.

Chinese solar manufacturer DAH Solar has launched into the Australian market with an anti-dust solar module with lowered frames, similar to that displayed by Longi just a few metres away during the Smart Energy Expo.

Energizer Solar, the licensee for US battery giant Energizer, has selected Australia as the first market to launch its renewable home ‘ecosystem.’ Including new hybrid inverters, a hybrid battery, solar panels, and soon an EV charger, the product suite has been certified and is landing on Australian shores “as we speak,” Gavin Owen, Energizer Solar’s Head of APAC Sales, told pv magazine Australia.

New South Wales has committed to reform the planning approvals process for renewable energy developments amid criticism that the current process isn’t fit for purpose and is slowing the state’s transition from coal-dominated generation to a renewables-dominated grid.