Markets & Policy

A new report released by Australia’s national science agency shows that renewables, led by large-scale and rooftop solar, remain the cheapest form of new-build power generation in Australia despite a 20% average rise in technology costs.

Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced a major overhaul of Australia’s Net Zero 2050 commitments, while taking aim at the previous federal government’s inaction on climate change.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded $3.7 million in funding to Enel X to add hundreds of supermarkets and refrigerated warehouses to a virtual power plant (VPP) operation to provide flexible demand to the National Electricity Market. 

Traditional owners in Western Australia’s East Kimberley region will partner with investment and advisory firm Pollination to develop what would be Australia’s largest solar farm as part of plans to build a giga-scale green hydrogen and ammonia project in the country’s northwest.

Global demand for sodium-ion batteries is expected to grow to just under 70 GWh in 2033, from 10 GWh in 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%, according to UK-based market research company IDTechEx.

The traditional owners of Yindjibarndi lands in Western Australia have struck a deal with Philippines-based energy giant ACEN Corporation to develop more than 3 GW of wind, solar and battery storage in the state’s Pilbara region.

The consortium partners behind an export-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facility planned for north Queensland will advance the mega project from concept to feasibility stage after signing a formal heads of agreement.

Solar data and forecasting provider Solcast, a DNV company, has detailed the solar irradiance data it collected for Australia in June, showing that eastern New South Wales received irradiance about 15% above normal for the month, while central and western Victoria received totals 10-20% lower than normal.

The Queensland government has reaffirmed that Singapore-headquartered Keppel Infrastructure has joined the consortium of Australian and Japanese energy companies seeking to develop a 3 GW renewable hydrogen project near Gladstone on the central Queensland coast.

The growth of European rooftop solar continues this year, with innovative companies raising capital to develop the market. It’s an encouraging trend with the potential to accelerate rooftop solar adoption. pv magazine correspondent Valerie Thompson takes a closer look.