Proposed building regulations require solar power on every house in California
The California Energy Commission is expected to approve the 2019 Building Energy Code that calls for solar PV on all new homes. The goal is net zero residential energy usage.
NEG – a political hot potato
In anticipation of a more detailed presentation of the scheme, Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg used the opportunity of the speech to the National Press Club to present the National Energy Guarantee as the best possible option to ensure reliability of supply, describing it as “technology neutral”. Amid mounting criticism leveled by retailers, analysts and leading developers of battery storage, few signs of a national consensus on the proposed NEG are emerging.
What more do we know about the National Energy Guarantee?
The Energy Security Board released its consultation paper on the National Energy Guarantee at the end of last week. Olivia Kember from clean energy advisory Energetics investigates what the emerging policy details reveal about the policy as a means of facilitating emission reductions and spurring innovation.
Chile’s energy regulator to use Blockchain
The Chilean National Energy Commission will become the country’s first public entity to use Blockchain technology. The new program will begin in March.
US imports of Chinese solar climbed sharply in Q4
1,200%. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that’s how high imports of Chinese modules rose in the fourth quarter last year, in a desperate attempt to stockpile sufficient numbers before tariffs choked off international supplies.
US solar tariffs to have little impact on Australian module prices
Australian PV project developers and rooftop installers are unlikely to benefit from module price declines as a result of U.S. solar tariffs. GTM Research analysis reveals that while the tariffs will likely cause an American solar market decline of 11% in 2018, it will not leave Chinese suppliers scrambling to find buyers.
Trump levies graduated tariffs starting at 30%, exempts 2.5 GW in cells
The decision, released on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s website, could keep current U.S. module manufacturers in business by keeping their cell lifelines open.
Legal threat to world’s first 100% solar train
The PV-powered Byron Bay Railway is facing a legal challenge, which threatens to shut down the 3km tourist train only six months after its opening.
Australia welcomes formal creation of International Solar Alliance
As it officially came into force on Wednesday, the International Solar Alliance was welcomed by Australia, one of its 19 founding members.
Australian renewable energy sector lacks women on company boards
Last week the Clean Energy Council announced the winner of its 2018 Women in Renewables scholarship. Women in Renewables chair, Natalie Collard, reflects on why we need more women on boards.
