World’s largest solar tree record smashed
With a PV panel surface area of 309.83m2, the solar tree is officially certified by Guinness World Records (GWR) as the largest solar tree in the world.
World Bank wants 210,000 mini-grids this decade
The international development entity has already invested $1 billion in local, off-grid electricity networks over the last decade – and attracted a further $1.1 billion in matched funding – and wants to set up mini-grids to supply electricity to 490 million people by 2030.
Floating solar-plus-hydroelectric project planned on Indian dam
Renewable energy developers have until April 25 to lodge interest in developing a hybrid facility combining 1.5MW of hydroelectric generation capacity and 100MW of floating solar in the state of Maharashtra.
Simec ‘gearing up’ to start work on 280MW South Australian solar farm
Work on the long-awaited 280MW Cultana Solar Farm in South Australia appears set to begin with Simec Energy Australia announcing this week it is preparing to start construction on the ~$350 million project.
Wirsol adds 313MW of large-scale solar to Australian O&M portfolio
German-owned renewable energy developer Wirsol Energy has added another 313MW of solar to its Australian operation and maintenance portfolio, securing the contracts for three utility scale solar farms.
Concentrating solar power with heat storage could compete with batteries
For short-term storage in a 100% renewables grid, thermal energy storage located at concentrating solar power plants could compete with batteries, found a study using an idealised grid model. Seasonal storage needs could best be met with power-to-gas-to-power technology.
Labor pledges $22m to establish Northern Australia’s first eco-industrial precinct
Federal Labor has promised to allocate $22 million to help establish the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct being developed in northern Queensland if it wins the election in May.
‘Multibillion’ dollar solar, battery, hydrogen park to replace Gippsland coal attracts powerful superfund
A multibillion-dollar solar, battery storage, wind and potentially green hydrogen project in Victoria’s Gippsland region is moving forward after getting backing from superfund Hostplus. Originally proposed by Solis Renewable Energy, the project is now owned by Octopus Australia as part of its joint venture with CFEC.
India surpasses 50GW of solar
In the fourth quarter of 2021 alone, solar developers added 3.2GW of new PV installations in India.
Australia’s oldest solar farm shines bright as new asset nears completion
Just hours after Australia’s oldest solar farm was announced as the best performing utility scale solar asset in the country, construction firm Tranex Solar revealed the energisation of one of the nation’s newest clean energy developments is “well underway”.
