Balance of Systems

Chinese electronics manufacturer Anker has developed a new all-in-one home storage solution with up to 30 kWh of capacity, available in single-phase and three-phase configurations.

Power giant AGL Energy has teamed with Melbourne-based solar panel recycling company Elecsome to explore the development of a PV materials recovery facility at the site of the coal-fired Bayswater power plant in the New South Wales Hunter Region.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has dangled a $100 million carrot in front of the world’s best and brightest solar industry proponents to help lower solar and electricity costs to scale up annual installation in Australia from 5 GW per year to 50 GW.

Wood Mackenzie says in its latest report that low prices and integrated supply chains allow Chinese manufacturers to supply more than 65% of total global demand for renewables equipment, with its exports growing by 35% between 2019 and 2023.

The versatility of solar mounting manufacturer and balance-of-system provider Clenergy’s ezShade 2.0 solar shade system has been put to the test with the solution at the core of a standalone power system fuelling an off-grid communications site in remote northern Queensland.

Spending on building renewable energy infrastructure is forecast to peak at $20 billion in 2026, stimulated by the Australian government’s target of 82% electricity from renewables by 2030, but caution remains over workforce capability.

The Australian government has announced its new multi-billion-dollar National Battery Strategy aiming to boost the country’s domestic battery manufacturing capabilities and critical minerals processing capacity.

Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen believes the federal government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot initiative could result in domestic manufacturing providing 20% of the nation’s PV panel needs by the end of the decade.

Queensland aluminium materials manufacturer Alpha HPA says it will establish the world’s largest single-site high-purity alumina products refinery after reaching a final investment decision on the second stage of its processing facility in Gladstone.

Japan’s Leapton Energy has developed a 20.48 kWh residential battery energy storage system featuring storage capacities starting at 5.12 kWh, utilising lithium iron phosphate technology.