March rooftop solar installs sets new record, exceeding NEG modelling by 50%
Rooftop PV installation rates in Australia are breaking all previous records. March saw the highest number of rooftop systems ever installed in the country, worth a capacity of some 127 MW.
Solar to top 104 GW of new installations this year, finds GTM Research
Latest Global Solar Demand Monitor from GTM Research forecasts 6% annual increase in PV installation growth although current largest markets will register 7% contraction while geographic diversification poised to grow.
NEG – a political hot potato
In anticipation of a more detailed presentation of the scheme, Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg used the opportunity of the speech to the National Press Club to present the National Energy Guarantee as the best possible option to ensure reliability of supply, describing it as “technology neutral”. Amid mounting criticism leveled by retailers, analysts and leading developers of battery storage, few signs of a national consensus on the proposed NEG are emerging.
Solar outstrips fossil fuels in 2017 leading record renewables investment, report finds
A new report drafted by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre shows that global solar energy investments overshadowed all other forms of electricity generation in 2017. China is leading the pack of the world’s largest renewables investors, followed by Australia, Mexico and Sweden.
Power Ledger, Greenwood Solution to deploy P2P energy trading platform in Melbourne
The first commercial deployment of Power Ledger’s P2P energy trading platform will take place in partnership with energy solutions business Greenwood Solutions, which will be in charge of installing solar across strata units.
TÜV Rheinland exposes inverter, battery hacking vulnerabilities
Testing from TÜV Rheinland has revealed that PV inverters and battery storage systems are vulnerable to hacking. By changing system parameters, a hacker could potentially cause a battery system to corrode, “making it like a ‘bomb’.”
CEFC to provide $90 million for new-home solar+storage program
Home builder Mirvac is partnering with the CEFC to provide rooftop PV and battery storage systems for more than 300 new family homes. The renewable energy systems will include 5.1 kW rooftop systems and 10 kWh batteries.
Rooftop installations above 2017’s record-breaking year
February rooftop solar installations exceeded 115 MW, well above the less-than 80 MW installed in the same month 2017 – itself a record-breaking solar year in Australia. Green Energy Markets’ latest STC figures reveal the “extraordinary” installation rates.
Clean Energy Regulator: record 1.07 GW small-scale solar installed in 2017
It’s official: 2017 was a record year for rooftop PV in Australia. The Clean Energy Regulator announced today that over 1070 MW of small-scale solar was installed by Australian homeowners and businesses in 2017 – representing 41% growth over 2016.
South Australia Premier promises interest-free loans for solar+storage
In yet another renewable energy related election commitment, South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill has pledged to offer loans to 10,000 households to install rooftop solar and battery storage, which will be made available interest-free for the first seven years.
