Installations

As one of the most energy-intensive industries, the resource sector is getting serious about integrating cheap wind and solar energy into its mix to boost bottom lines. Although still predominantly underpinned by gas or diesel, mine operations are increasingly deploying hybrid solutions pointing to the potential of the sector transitioning to 100% renewables – particularly as momentum builds for green hydrogen to play a role in future microgrids.

The first phase of a 6 MW solar array planned to power a former car manufacturing site at Tonsley in Adelaide will be delivered by ZEN Energy. The solar installation will ultimately work in conjunction with on-site battery storage and smart technologies as part of Enwave Australia’s Tonsley District Energy Scheme.

Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy has placed Australian and Vietnamese solar markets side by side and found the Southeast Asian country has left Australia behind in terms of commissioned utility-scale PV capacity. A staggering 4,460 MW of connected PV capacity in Vietnam at the end of June came as a surprise to many.

Far North Queensland is looking set for another large-scale solar farm as the Tablelands Regional Council approved the development of a 81 MW solar PV facility near the town of Tolga in the Atherton Tablelands.

The July quota for solar PV rebates under Victoria’s Solar Homes program has been filled within days. The next release will be available in August.

The water authority of the city state wants to procure a 50 MW floating solar installation on the Tengeh Reservoir that will be operational by 2021. Details were revealed today by technical consultant DNV GL.

One of Australia’s largest utility-scale solar arrays and the biggest energy storage facilities was given a tick of approval.

Offgrid installations formed an early training ground for many veterans of Australia’s solar industry – often in particularly tough conditions. Bunjil Energy CEO and Co-founder Isaac Harrison shares this experience and is putting it to work to pursue his vision for Eco Solar Farms and empowering indigenous communities through PV.

With the comeback of the Victorian government’s first-in best-dressed Solar Homes program, consumers are urged to do their due diligence as they rush to apply for popular rebates. If incorrectly installed, batteries are a serious safety risk, industry body Future Energy Skills underlines.

A housing development in Perth’s northern suburb Girrawheen is the first of its kind for Western Australia to provide a solar system with every home. Launched last year by provider Infinite Energy, the solar lease has proved to be a winner for homebuyers, resulting in a 40% saving on daytime power costs.