Utility Scale PV

The Northern Territory government has committed $12 million (USD 8.05 million) in its latest budget to accelerate the development of a “sustainable” industrial hub that will be largely powered by renewables as it looks to continue the overhaul of its electricity system.

The Malaysian government is developing a new strategy to expand renewable energy use in the country and also boost the domestic renewable energy industry.

Chinese inverter and storage company Sungrow and Australian developer Green Gold Energy have signed an agreement to collaborate on “at least” 500 MWh of battery storage projects within the next three years – most to all of which will be DC-coupled. Relatively new to Australia’s grid-connected battery landscape, DC-coupled batteries will soon be able to trade on lucrative FCAS markets thanks to imminent rule changes, providing a firmer foothold for the technology in Australia.

Chinese solar and storage technology manufacturer Sungrow has strengthened its commitment in Australia, inking new distribution agreements that will deliver at least 550 MWh of the company’s energy storage system solutions and 250 MW of its inverters into the Australian market.

Chinese solar module maker Risen Energy has launched two new n-type panels into the Australian market, targeting both the rooftop and large-scale PV markets.

The International Renewable Energy Agency has released new data on the cost of capital for solar PV, onshore and offshore wind in the period between 2020 and 2021. Results show that Australia has the second lowest cost of capital in the Asia Pacific region at 4.6%, beaten out by China at 3.9%.

The International Energy Agency expects Australia’s “outstanding” economic fundamentals for residential and commercial rooftop solar will see the sector stabilise in 2023 after a new report revealed the PV market contracted in 2022.

Independent power producer Alinta Energy expects work on a 45 MW solar farm and 35 MW/35 MWh battery energy storage system planned for Western Australia’s Pilbara region will commence inside two months following the appointment of contractors to construct and connect the hybrid project.

The successful projects from the first tender conducted under the New South Wales government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap have been announced with two large solar farms, a wind farm and an eight-hour battery energy storage system to be built as the state looks to manage the exit of coal-fired power generation from the grid.

Record solar generation from both large-scale and rooftop PV is driving down the wholesale cost of energy, helping set new records for minimum demand for electricity from the grid and reducing emissions to record lows according to new data provided by the Australian Energy Market Operator.