Solar Panel Validation initiative rolls out
Developed in partnership between the Clean Energy Regulator and the solar industry, the initiative is looking to ensure genuine solar panels are mounted across Australia, against the backdrop of booming rooftop installation rates and mounting pressure on installers. Michelle Crosbie, Managing Director, Clean Energy Regulator, will be at pv magazine’s Quality Roundtable at the All Energy Australia show tomorrow in Melbourne to deliver further details on the scheme.
Dodgy solar systems could lead to “political intervention to curb uptake”
Rooftop solar is popular in the Australian community. But it may not always be the case. If solar and, in particular, battery storage systems are sold with inflated claims, or are non-code compliant, public support could be undermined – delivering momentum to politicians keen to scrap the SRES. An important message from BayWa r.e. Solar Solutions Managing Director Durmus Yildiz.
WA’s community owned VPP in the making
The Dunsborough Community Energy Project is announced as Australia’s first privately funded virtual power plant.
Victorians invited to apply for rooftop solar rebates
Applications have officially opened for 50% rebates on rooftop solar installations under the Victorian government’s Solar Homes program, announced just weeks ago. The subsidies will be available until 30 June next year.
AEMO gets green light to set up distributed solar+storage register
Australia’s policy maker for the energy markets has approved the establishment a national register of small-scale distributed energy resources, which will give AEMO and distribution network businesses more data to help in planning and operating the power system as it transforms.
AGL closes residential solar installation business
AGL has announced it will no longer install solar panels on homes, a decision which has brought with it a $47 million loss.
Origin to develop 5 MW virtual power plant in Victoria
Following a grant from the Victorian government, Origin Energy is gearing up to connect solar and battery systems of up to 650 residential and commercial properties across the state, in what will be its first virtual power plant and the largest one in Victoria to date.
Queensland could go 90% renewable by 2030
If all planned renewable energy projects were to proceed, Queensland would be in line for a $24 billion injection into the state’s economy and over 35,000 new jobs, argues a new Solar Citizens report.
Solar performance polluted by urban haze
Research conducted over several years by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) demonstrates that air pollution in cities can put a dampener on the performance of PV panels which, if not taken into account, can threaten a project’s viability.
Victorian government invests in Melbourne microgrid project
As part of its state-wide microgrid funding promise, the Labor Government has allocated a total of $980,000 for the Ovida Community Energy Hub project, which will install shared solar PV and battery systems in three multi-tenanted buildings in Melbourne.
