Cargill launches on-site solar system at Newcastle plant
Cargill, the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader, has launched its first utility-scale renewable energy project in Australia, switching on a 2.58 MW solar array at its Newcastle oilseed processing facility.
NSW court dismisses appeal against solar and battery project
Plans to build a 100 MW solar farm and 45 MW, two-hour capacity battery energy storage system in the Yass Valley have been given fresh impetus with a New South Wales court dismissing concerns the project will affect the region’s rural character.
BNEF report shows drop-off in support for standalone solar
Investment in utility-scale solar in Australia dropped 35% in the second half of 2025 compared to the previous six months with Bloomberg New Energy Finance saying the growth of rooftop solar and a booming battery market are among the reasons for the precipitous decline.
Hidden solar system degradation reduces useful life from 25 years to 11: research
Around a fifth of solar panels examined in a new study fail much faster than expected and some may last for only half their anticipated lifetime.
Rooftop solar hits all-time output high of 4,407 MW in Q4 2025: report
Rooftop solar generation hit an all-time high in Q4 2025, up 8.7% with an output of 4,407 MW, while also reducing daytime operational demand, contributing to battery charging, and an overall new renewable energy generation record for the National Electricity Market of 51%.
NEM welcomes 1.8 GW of new generation and storage in last quarter
A surge of new generation and storage capacity reached full output in Australia’s main grid in the last quarter with nine projects totalling 1.8 GW of new capacity progressing through commissioning and entering operation.
UNSW research reveals self-repair mechanism in solar cells
Engineers at the University of New South Wales have developed a real-time monitoring technique that reveals how silicon solar cells can self-repair following ultraviolet-induced damage, offering new insights into solar panel degradation and lifetime performance.
Musk says solar space-based AI data centres possible in two to three years
Space-based solar could power AI more efficiently than on Earth, with full-scale deployment possible in two to three years, Elon Musk says SpaceX’s Starship launch vehicle and its reusable rockets aim to sharply reduce space access costs, enabling solar-powered AI satellites and potentially large-scale extraterrestrial energy infrastructure.
Pacific seeks federal tick for Queensland solar and battery project
Plans for a 250 MW solar and 350 MWh battery energy storage project proposed for Queensland’s Western Downs region are now available for public comment as developer Pacific Partnerships seeks a green tick from the federal government.
CQP seeks approval for its Wooderson 450 MW / 3.6 GWh solar and BESS project
Central Queensland Power has submitted its 450 MW solar and 450 MW / 3.6 GWh Wooderson Solar Development hybrid project in the Gladstone region for federal EPBC approval.
