Victorian regulator to slash rooftop solar feed-in tariffs
Owners of rooftop solar arrays in Victoria could soon get almost nothing for exporting their excess power into the grid with the Essential Services Commission releasing a draft decision that would slash payments in response to the rapid uptake of the technology.
Western Power taps Genus to lead Clean Energy transmission project
Energy infrastructure provider GenusPlus Group has landed a $270 million contract to deliver a “critical” upgrade of Western Australia’s main electricity network as part of the state government’s plan to unlock existing renewable generation capacity, and allow the addition of new renewables to facilitate the retirement of coal-fired generation.
Acen seeks green light for Cooma solar and battery project
Renewable energy developer Acen Australia is seeking federal government approval for a 100 MW solar facility and an 180 MW battery energy storage system to be built near Cooma in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains region.
Chinese PV industry brief: Aiko Solar starts making back-contact PV panels
Aiko Solar has started production at its Jinan factory, its third facility for n-type all-back-contact solar modules. The plant is designed for 30 GW of solar cell and panel capacity, with the first 10 GW phase set to reach full output by late 2025.
Virtual power plants can compete in the energy market from 2027: AEMC
The Australian Energy Market Commission has released a final determination to allow virtual power plants to compete directly with large-scale generators in the energy market, scheduled to begin in 2027.
First Nations solar and battery projects to share $5.5 million from clean energy fund
The government of Western Australia has announced seven successful project bids in round three of its clean energy future fund scheme, including two First Nations renewable energy projects that will share $5.5 million from a $16 million pool.
New Zealand grid-scale solar project gets thumbs down by community
Community submissions for a proposed utility-scale agrivoltaic solar farm on Aotearoa New Zealand’s south island, which would have the capacity to power 70,000 homes annually, has returned 75% against the development.
Australia Papua New Guinea off-grid solar collaboration lights up lives
Residents in the Huon Gulf District of Papua New Guinea have begun receiving 8,700 solar installations in homes and schools across 18 remote villages as part of a collaboration between the island country and Australia.
Research questions why microgrids are not ‘the norm’ in remote Australia
Researchers from four Australian universities have released a new paper questioning why solar microgrids are not ‘the norm’ in remote Central Australia, while energy insecurity prevails in very remote Aboriginal households.
Remote hybrid solar and battery system targets replacement of diesel power
A Western Australia-based hybrid solar and battery system developer has demonstrated its hybrid units deployed in remote locations for businesses and communities can potentially replace around 150 litres of diesel per day.
