Markets

Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, and New South Wales were over-performing solar regions in March. This overperformance in the southeast and southwest came despite most of the Australian continent seeing below-average irradiance, due to thicker-than-usual clouds over the sparsely-populated interior and tropics.

The central Australian town of Alice Springs is on track to achieve 50% renewable power generation by 2030 but a new report says urgent investment and action is needed to integrate the increasing amounts of renewable energy, including solar PV and battery energy storage, into its isolated grid.

Beijing Energy International’s push into the Australian renewable energy market continues at pace with the China-based company striking a deal to acquire energy retailer TPC.

Adelaide-based PV manufacturer Tindo Solar is expected to be among the first applicants for a grant from the Australian government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot program as it looks to scale up its production capacity to compete in a growing domestic market dominated by imports.

Singapore-headquartered renewable energy infrastructure developer Metis Energy has locked in a renewables supply contract for its first major Australian project – the 94 MW Gunsynd Solar Farm being built in southwest Queensland.

New Zealand renewables developer Lightyears Solar has announced it will roll out three new community-scale PV farms with a combined capacity of 18 MW after completing a $5.51 million (NZD 6 million) capital raise.

Renewable energy developer and independent power producer Neoen is reportedly considering selling a large portion of its Australian portfolio of clean energy projects that exceeds 3.75 GW of assets currently under construction or in operation.

The need for long-duration energy storage in a net-zero world is undeniable but with conventional battery prices tumbling, can anything dislodge the mainstream grip of lithium ion? S&P Global’s Susan Taylor provides an update on non-lithium storage technologies.

Solar panel manufacturing in Australia has reached a new zenith with a commitment by two industry leaders to explore the possibilities of establishing a commercial-scale advanced solar panel manufacturing facility in the heart of New South Wales coal country.

Solar access will be expanded throughout regional Western Australia with state-owned energy provider Horizon Power announcing plans to roll out “state-of-the-art” internet-connected technology that will help balance energy on regional microgrids.