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Markets & Policy

Saturday read: Rapid growth becomes new normal

Despite the impact of the pandemic and associated economic crisis, 2020 saw unprecedented growth in the solar market. With the International Energy Agency stating that high rates of capacity additions are the new normal, has the energy and investment environment fundamentally changed? Felicia Jackson in London explores these issues.

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ACT investigates solar PV stewardship scheme as government puts deadline in place

The federal government’s revelation of a deadline for the solar industry to “step up” and address the growing issue of solar PV module waste or face regulation has coincided with the Australian Capital Territory government announcing plans to investigate recycling options for solar panels.

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‘Low-cost renewable hydrogen may already be in reach’

If the three record-busting low solar price tariffs recorded in the Middle East in the past 18 months are to be believed, renewables-powered hydrogen in prime sites in the region could already compete with gas-plus-CCS production, according to IRENA. Has the Gulf discovered the new petrol?

Gransolar Group’s Dalby hybrid solar+storage project is a wholly inside job

Spanish EPC Gransolar Group’s four member companies across the entire value chain are combining on its first hybrid power plant. The 5 MW solar + storage hybrid power plant near Dalby, Queensland, will supply solar energy to grid service provider Ergon while also taking advantage of all the other revenue streams available to energy storage projects.

‘World’s cheapest wafer’ maker plans 2 GW Indian fab

The American business is looking for module manufacturing partners as it plans to bring its ‘direct wafer’ production technique to India. The company uses molten silicon to form wafers rather than sawing ingots, thus eliminating dust waste and speeding up the process.

‘Solar tax’ founded on false premise, according to policy centre

The contentious two-way pricing reform proposed by the AEMC, dubbed the ‘sun tax’, is based on the understanding that solar is a plaything of the rich. In fact, the inverse may be true, according to a new paper published by the Victoria Energy Policy Centre. But Vinnies’ research manager Gavin Dufty, an instigator of the rule change, told pv magazine Australia such analysis misses the point, branding it ‘myopic’.

City of Subiaco becomes first WA local government to be certified carbon neutral

The City of Subiaco, an affluent suburb just west of Perth city, has become the first carbon neutral local government in Western Australia certified under the Commonwealth’s Climate Active program.

Senate blocks Taylor’s attempt to ‘illegally’ siphon renewables funding

In a big win for renewables and a big loss for the Morrison Government, the Senate has blocked the Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s attempt to illegally expand the mandate of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to fund non-renewable projects.

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Australian businesses ‘unhappy’ with electricity contacts with 62% keen to switch, survey finds

A survey of 300 business decision-makers across Australia has found nearly 40% of large businesses and 21% of small to medium enterprises are unhappy with their current energy contracts, with 62% of respondents saying they would be willing to switch.

Asia Pacific to hit $1.7 trillion in renewable investments by 2030 but Australia’s to fall 60% before then: Woodmac

Investments in solar and wind in the Asia Pacific could double over the next decade compared to 2011 – 2020, hitting AU$1.7 trillion, according to new analysis by Wood Mackenzie.

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