Module price declines could result in $60/MWh utility scale solar
Falling module prices could very well dramatically enhance the competitiveness of large scale solar in Australia – pushing the price at which PV can be produced below the wholesale curve. Rystad Energy believes that with a 20-30% module price decline, as has been forecast, $60MWh utility scale solar could become the new reality.
The figures for China’s booming PV industry will be seen with a tinge of regret
In what analysts worldwide are sure to look back on as the last golden period for global solar – at least for the immediate future – China saw more impressive figures for PV manufacturing in the first half of the year. Then the government stepped in.
Tasmania undertakes FiT review, inaugurates major commercial solar PV project
The Tasmanian government is undertaking a review of the FiT support scheme, which it says will lower the cost of electricity for Tasmanian households and small businesses. With one of the state’s largest commercial solar PV projects commissioned yesterday, the government is edging towards its objective of making Tasmania’s electricity 100% renewable by 2022.
Sunshine Coast Solar Farm doubles expected savings in first year
The 15 MW Sunshine Coast Solar Farm at Valdora, Queensland, has far exceeded savings expectations in its first year of operation while offsetting 100% of the local council’s energy usage across all facilities and operations.
US fund New Energy Solar acquires 87 MW Beryl
The Beryl Solar Farm, under development in New South Wales, has been purchased by PV asset fund New Energy Solar. 87 MW Beryl is the second Australian First Solar project to be purchased by New, with its 15-year PPA in place attractive to the asset owner.
Risen touts local contractors, construction on 121 MW Yarranlea begins “in earnest”
Chinese module maker Risen Energy has begun major earthworks and site preparation before mounting system installation at the 121.5 MW Yarranlea project in Queensland. While Risen has not tapped local financing for the project, indeed any outside finance at all, the company has highlighted its local contractor workforce, in a statement today.
Massive 2.75 GW solar, wind, storage project approved in India
Greenko Energies will set up India’s largest Integrated Renewable Energy Project (IREP) in Andhra Pradesh at an investment of INR 150 billion (US$2.2 billion). Recently approved by the Andhra Pradesh government, the project will comprise 1,000 MW of solar energy, 550 MW of wind energy and 1,200 MW of standalone pumped storage capacities. It is expected to provide employment to 15,000 people during construction and 3,000 people after construction.
Natural Solar, sonnen deploy blockchain in 12-home project
Installer Natural Solar is equipping 12 homes in Sydney with rooftop PV and sonnen batteries, and will utilize blockchain technology to facilitate P2P trading of electricity between households. The mini virtual power plant (VPP) project will allow the homes to reduce their electricity demand from the grid by 90%.
Two major projects in NSW ready to commence construction
Construction works are expected to start soon on two utility-scale solar PV project in New South Wales with a combined capacity of more than 460 MW, as confirmed by German-based Belectric, which will handle the EPC and O&M duties on both sites.
ACCC recommends abolishing SRES by 2021
In a wide ranging report released on Tuesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recommended scrapping the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) – which provides a sizeable capital subsidy to small scale rooftop PV. The Smart Energy Council has criticised the proposal and called for the Federal Government to “rule out abolishing the SRES.”
