Energy transition speeds up as rooftop PV records tumble
Australia’s rooftop solar sector continues to shine bright with new data from the Australian Energy Market Operator revealing that distributed PV output across the main grid reached a record high in the final quarter of 2023.
EnergyCo announces access rights update for Central-West Orana REZ
Renewable energy generators chasing access rights to the new Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone network will be presented with a streamlined application process as the New South Wales government prioritises achieving financial close on the network project.
Solar corporate funding hits decade-long high in 2023
PV funding activity increased by 42% year-on-year in 2023, driven by strong growth in private market financing and debt financing, despite a decrease in the total number of deals, according to United States-headquartered consultancy Mercom Capital Group.
BHP searches for renewables to power Pilbara operations
Mega-miner BHP has reportedly put a request for proposal out to energy suppliers seeking new wind, solar and battery energy storage capacity as it progresses plans to electrify and decarbonise its mining operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Investor group warns of revenue risk for solar farms
The Clean Energy Investor Group has warned that solar farms in southwest New South Wales and northwest Victoria could suffer from “large and unpredictable” swings in revenues because of material changes in marginal loss factors.
Government shift sees Frontier turn to battery for WA solar project
Frontier Energy has revised its strategy for the first stage of the proposed Waroona Renewable Energy Project being developed in Western Australia’s southwest to include a four-hour 80 MW battery energy storage system in a move that is expected to have significantly better economics than solar alone.
Tasmanian hydrogen hub locks in $70 million federal funding boost
The Australian government has formalised a $70 million (USD 49.95 million) investment to help develop the Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub in northern Tasmania with construction of the project scheduled to commence this year with completion planned for early 2028.
Meyer Burger to cease PV module production in Germany
Heterojunction cell and panel manufacturer Meyer Burger says it will stop making PV modules in Germany, but it will continue to produce solar cells in the country to support its panel production operations in the United States.
Climate Capital achieves Tasmanian first with large-scale solar
The largest solar farm yet built in Tasmania is now online with developer and asset owner Climate Capital confirming that its 4.95 MW Bell Bay Solar Farm is officially exporting renewable electricity to the grid.
Farmers push for public release of community engagement report
The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on the federal government to expedite the public release of findings from a review into community engagement on renewables projects and energy infrastructure upgrades as it seeks to improve social licence during the transition to renewables.
