Coal mining museum powered by solar PV and battery storage
In a powerful demonstration of Australia’s energy transition, the Victorian State Coal Mine, a tourist attraction in the coastal town of Wonthaggi, is now powered by a solar and battery storage system.
China confirms FIT level payments – but they will be ‘subject to competition’
The Beijing authorities have confirmed the payment levels to be made according to type of project and region from July onwards but an auction process will be involved so the figures are for guidance only. No decision has yet been made on the 30 GW of capacity added since the end of May.
Labor to connect 4,000 schools into VPPs in $1 billion solar program
Federal Labor has pledged to roll out solar PV and batteries at schools across Australia and create virtual power plants supporting up to 365 MW of capacity.
ReNu Energy to acquire two SA solar farms
In an ASX announcement last week, Queensland-based independent power producer ReNu Energy said it had executed term sheets with Chinese solar developer Astronergy for the acquisition of two 5.8 MW solar farms in South Australia. The total cost to buy the projects and complete construction amounts to $17.2 million.
Dramatic increase in grid solar generation as medium to large-scale rooftop PV takes off
Due to a jump in medium (+15kW) to large (+100kW) rooftop solar installations, there has been a dramatic increase in grid scale solar generation. This has contributed to renewables supplying monthly 14-15% of total generation since last November, an increase from 10-11% share this time last year, new research from The Australia Institute finds.
Simply Energy expands list of eligible batteries for South Australian VPP
The first virtual power plant to be announced since the last year’s launch of the Home Battery Scheme in South Australia is picking up the pace with the addition of Eguana Technologies’ Evolve to the list of eligible energy storage systems.
California is learning to trust 100% residential solar power
California utility PG&E has tested levels of residential solar power up to 100% penetration, and how to mitigate the effects of voltage and thermal overload via smart inverters and traditional transformer and circuit upgrades — with smart inverters shown to allow for up to 100% penetration at cost-effective pricing.
Western Australian utilities roll out advanced meters
A total of 238,000 advanced meters will be installed by Western Power on the South West Interconnected System over the next three years, unlocking the benefits of the technology that gives consumers more control over their energy use. In another rollout, Horizon Power has made paying for power easier for 11 Aboriginal communities across regional WA.
Tesla’s solar business shrinks as Musk focuses on Model 3
The EV, energy storage and solar company deployed only 47 MW of solar during Q1, as Tesla moves away from traditional sales methods towards web-based sales for its products.
Farmers want energy policy overhaul, more support for solar and batteries
In the run-up to the May federal election, thirteen farmer and irrigator groups have come up with a list of policy requests to put a downward pressure on electricity prices and preserve the sector’s competitiveness. Among other things, the groups have called for more government support for solar PV and battery storage installed on site, and removal of barriers to connecting on-farm generation to the grid.
