Elgin gets green light for biggest solar and storage project to date
A 150 MW solar farm and a 250 MWh battery energy storage system proposed for Victoria’s Central Highlands by British renewables developer Elgin Energy has won planning approval from the state government.
Plibersek approves 800 MW solar farm and big battery in Queensland
The Australian government has ticked off on a more than 1 GW solar farm and battery energy storage facility being developed in Queensland’s Southern Downs region.
Victorian solar farm starts commissioning process
Italian energy giant Enel Green Power says the commissioning of the 93 MW Girgarre Solar Farm in central Victoria is now underway with the power plant expected to be fully operational early next year.
Research shows high-albedo ground reflectors increase bifacial solar plant yield by up to 4.5%
Tests conducted by Canadian researchers at the NREL’s testing field in the United States have shown that ground reflectors based on high-density polyethylene can significantly increase bifacial PV plant performance. They stressed the profitability of this technology is strictly dependent on the location and warned about combining it with inverter clipping.
Weekend read: From Mumbai to Bondi
Economic cooperation between India and Australia may open doors for investment in clean energy technology but challenges still abound in a competitive global market. Vibhuti Garg and Shantanu Srivastava, of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, discuss the role that public funding and resource pooling could play in supporting manufacturing ambitions.
Pacific Energy lands first NSW PPA and sets up shop in Victoria
Western Australian renewables infrastructure provider Pacific Energy has set up a new office in Victoria with the initial task of managing another first for the company, the delivery of a 26 MW hybrid power system in New South Wales.
RES acquires 320 MW management contract book to boost Australian presence
United Kingdon-based developer Renewable Energy Systems has expanded its presence in the Australian market with the acquisition of Windlab’s asset management portfolio, including the 60 MW Kennedy Energy Park in northern Queensland.
Southern states guaranteed 1.7 GW in national renewable energy tender
Tasmania and Victoria have been guaranteed a combined 1.7 GW of the 6 GW of new variable renewable energy projects the Australian government is targeting as part of what is the largest single renewables tender in the country’s history.
Sunrise briefs: Italy bans solar from agricultural land
Also on the rise: Global solar cell and module manufacturing capacity grew by about 550 GW in 2023; Malaysia launches incentive scheme for residential solar; new solar module recycling process; and more.
Investors look offshore as red tape threatens Australian renewables target
Fast-track approvals legislation in New Zealand is catching the eye of renewable energy investors in Australia amid concerns that bureaucratic red tape is impacting the timely delivery of key clean energy generation and storage projects.
