Lightsource bp partners with Contact Energy to pursue large-scale solar in New Zealand
In a big week for solar in the land of the long white cloud, Lightsource bp has announced a 50/50 partnership with New Zealand’s Contact Energy to pursue a large-scale solar portfolio in the country, generation which Contact Energy will purchase through a power purchase agreement.
Google exec backs Helios Energy’s New Zealand solar pipeline
A collaboration of United States and New Zealand developers, Helios Energy received private investment from Google executive Urs Hölzle and is setting its sights on grid-scale solar developments in New Zealand.
Solar greenhouse trials perform better than expected, proving commerciality company says
The results from solar glass company ClearVue’s greenhouse trials at Murdoch University have found the company’s product performed better than predicted overall, demonstrating both strong power generation and thermal value.
Lightsource bp proposes 400 MW solar farm south of Goulburn
Lightsource bp’s ambitious solar capacity target of 25 GW by 2025 is driving significant expansion of its Australian portfolio, including its most recent proposal of the 400 MW Gundary Solar Farm south of Goulburn, NSW.
3.5 GW Indonesian solar plus storage facility proposes export to Singapore
A partnership between Quantum Power Asia and Berlin-based ib vogt is proposing a 3.5 GW solar and storage facility in Riau, Indonesia, an archipelago of islands south of Singapore. The AUD$6.7 billion potential project aims to export the generated solar to the Singaporean city-state by 2032, meeting 8% of its electricity needs.
10 GW Desert Bloom green hydrogen project attracts major Japanese partner
Water-from-air technology company Aqua Aerem’s Desert Bloom green hydrogen project received Major Project Status from the Northern Territory Government last year, now it has announced a partnership with Japanese energy giant Osaka Gas which not only brings the 10GW project closer to reality, but has also seen the company boost its ambitions to 20GW in light of “quickly developing demand.”
Mazda’s Melbourne facility fitted with 900kW solar system, reaching 100% carbon neutral energy use
Mazda Australia’s car part distribution centre in Melbourne has been fitted with a 900kW rooftop solar installation which is contributing to the centre, owned by Fraser Property Australia, now being 100% powered by carbon neutral energy.
Andrew Forrest buys up three cattle stations for 5GW renewable energy hub
Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries has purchased three cattle stations in Western Australia’s northwest on which it plans to construct a renewable energy hub to both decarbonise its mining business and export green hydrogen and green ammonia.
Lightweight solar for agricultural water reservoirs
The Genap Energy Cover uses HyET Solar Powerfoil thin-film solar modules, rated at 12.0% efficiency, for agricultural water storage and reservoirs, with an initial focus on the greenhouse and horticulture markets in the Netherlands. Genap said a 12kWp test setup had a generation density of 60W/m2, rising to 120W/m2 within a year, with an eventual target of 165W/m2.
University’s own PV plant plays host to study into large-scale solar’s impact on biodiversity
The University of New England’s own 3.2MW solar farm is proving its worth in more ways than one, not only as an independent renewable energy source for the university, but also as the setting of a pilot study to better understand the impact of large-scale solar on biodiversity. The study aims to learn whether solar plants are useful habitats for wildlife and if simple land management strategies during construction could better cater to native species.
