Indonesia’s Riau Islands set for more big solar and storage
Developers are moving fast to meet Singapore’s clean energy needs by establishing overseas solar-plus-storage plants, with a strong focus on facilities in neighbouring Indonesia.
Weekend read: science or art? Defining the performance of bifacial modules
For some developers of ground-mounted PV, bifacial modules are already the default technology. The slight cost increase is often outweighed by an increase in energy yield. And yet “agreeing” on the right energy yield of a PV plant has always been the most heated debate between developers, investors, lenders, and technical advisers. Everoze partner Christophe Campistron looks at both sides.
Lightsource bp partners with Contact Energy to pursue large-scale solar in New Zealand
In a big week for solar in the land of the long white cloud, Lightsource bp has announced a 50/50 partnership with New Zealand’s Contact Energy to pursue a large-scale solar portfolio in the country, generation which Contact Energy will purchase through a power purchase agreement.
Google exec backs Helios Energy’s New Zealand solar pipeline
A collaboration of United States and New Zealand developers, Helios Energy received private investment from Google executive Urs Hölzle and is setting its sights on grid-scale solar developments in New Zealand.
Lightsource bp proposes 400 MW solar farm south of Goulburn
Lightsource bp’s ambitious solar capacity target of 25 GW by 2025 is driving significant expansion of its Australian portfolio, including its most recent proposal of the 400 MW Gundary Solar Farm south of Goulburn, NSW.
3.5 GW Indonesian solar plus storage facility proposes export to Singapore
A partnership between Quantum Power Asia and Berlin-based ib vogt is proposing a 3.5 GW solar and storage facility in Riau, Indonesia, an archipelago of islands south of Singapore. The AUD$6.7 billion potential project aims to export the generated solar to the Singaporean city-state by 2032, meeting 8% of its electricity needs.
10 GW Desert Bloom green hydrogen project attracts major Japanese partner
Water-from-air technology company Aqua Aerem’s Desert Bloom green hydrogen project received Major Project Status from the Northern Territory Government last year, now it has announced a partnership with Japanese energy giant Osaka Gas which not only brings the 10GW project closer to reality, but has also seen the company boost its ambitions to 20GW in light of “quickly developing demand.”
Andrew Forrest buys up three cattle stations for 5GW renewable energy hub
Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries has purchased three cattle stations in Western Australia’s northwest on which it plans to construct a renewable energy hub to both decarbonise its mining business and export green hydrogen and green ammonia.
University’s own PV plant plays host to study into large-scale solar’s impact on biodiversity
The University of New England’s own 3.2MW solar farm is proving its worth in more ways than one, not only as an independent renewable energy source for the university, but also as the setting of a pilot study to better understand the impact of large-scale solar on biodiversity. The study aims to learn whether solar plants are useful habitats for wildlife and if simple land management strategies during construction could better cater to native species.
Australia’s first university set to match 100% of its energy with renewables
The University of Sydney, Australia’s oldest, has signed a contract with Snowy Hydro and its subsidiary Red Energy to match “100%” of its energy consumption with renewables, in particular solar.
