Weekend read: Shifting supply chains brings own risks
Sourcing solar and energy storage locally will reduce some supply chain risks but it also opens the door to a new set of questions for prospective investors. Here, pv magazine takes a look at the United States market that could provide lessons for Australia as it seeks to build a domestic solar manufacturing industry.
Sunrise briefs: Microsoft announces largest PPA of renewables
Also on the rise: California crosses 10 GW battery storage threshold; Philippines set to add almost 2 GW of new solar in 2024; CATL unveils Ev with 1,000km range; and more.
Report calls for planning reforms as 20 GW of renewables added to project pipeline
Data from international consultancy Rystad Energy shows that 82 new renewable energy generation and battery storage projects corresponding to more than 20 GW of capacity were proposed across Australia’s National Electricity Market in the first quarter of 2024, with developers largely focused on Queensland and New South Wales.
Victoria and SA energy storage tender attracts 19 GW of proposals
The federal government’s 32 GW Capacity Investment Scheme is already bearing fruit with a competitive tender seeking 600 MW of energy storage capacity in Victoria and South Australia attracting 19,000 MW of project proposals.
Powercor targets transmission licence to bring more renewables online
Victorian electricity distributor Powercor is seeking a licence to build new transmission infrastructure in a move it claims will provide faster grid connections for major projects such as solar and wind farms within its current distribution network area.
Australian researchers reveal new quality monitoring method for rooftop and large-scale PV
An Australian research group has used an SMA inverter to switch the operating point of a PV array and has demonstrated its ability to create photoluminescence images for both rooftop and large-scale solar installations.
Singapore developer reveals 1 GW solar farm plan for north Queensland
The renewables arm of Singapore-based fund manager Cambridge RE Partners has unveiled plans for its first Australian project, announcing it has submitted a development application to establish a 300 MW solar farm in northern Queensland.
JV partners push ahead with large-scale solar plans in NZ
The rollout of large-scale solar in New Zealand continues to gather pace with renewables developer FRV Australia and joint venture partner Genesis Energy announcing that construction proper has commenced on a 47 MW solar farm at Lauriston on the country’s South Island.
Grass is greener on Acen’s New England Solar Farm
The first stage of Acen Australia’s planned 720 MW New England Solar Farm is home to more than 6,000 sheep that are grazing beneath the panels in a proof-of-concept agrivoltaics project that has no-one sitting on the fence regarding the results.
Vena hits commercial stage with 125 MW Queensland solar plant
Singapore-based renewables developer Vena Energy has launched commercial operations of a 125 MW solar farm in Queensland’s Western Downs region that is backed by a long-term offtake agreement with global tech giant Amazon.
