Markets & Policy

It’s a minor concern compared to the tragic loss of life, livelihoods and biodiversity caused by the bushfires still ravaging parts of Australia, but reduced output by PV systems due to smoke haze is an unwelcome bi-product of blazes that have burned at a scale and ferocity never seen before.

Australia has made great strides in terms of investment into renewables, yet despite the spend, we are still faced with an ageing grid and a growing number of coal power plant closures, that lack clear and sustainable replacements.

The small tourist town of Denham in Western Australia’s Shark Bay World Heritage Area could host a renewable hydrogen demonstration project as part of a new energy solution planned for the town.

As the country grapples with devastating bushfires, the number of Australians concerned about climate change has climbed. Almost four-fifths of those surveyed last week said they were concerned about climate change, an increase of five percent from July, according to think-tank The Australia Insitute. The polling comes hot on the heels of the Bureau of Meteorology’s 2019 Annual Climate Statement, showing there is every reason for concern and confirming 2019 was both the warmest and driest year on record for Australia.

The Dutch water management agency plans to install solar panels along both sides of the A37 highway in Drenthe province, as well as on the median strip, to cover 300 hectares in total. The project is part of a plan to build projects on state land, as the domestic PV industry continues to search for alternative surfaces on which to deploy solar.

President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined plans to fund her Green Deal with a mix of EU, member state and private sector contributions. Now it is over to individual nations and the European Parliament.

Renown think-tank Beyond Zero Emissions has published a new report looking directly at the near-future for fossil-fuel industry dependent towns and communities like Collie in WA. The report suggests that Collie has great hope for renewal, a hope founding on the state’s rapid transition to renewable energies.

Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy group Masdar is sailing into the southeast Asian market with its, and Indonesia’s, first floating solar power plant. The project is to be the largest of its kind in South East Asia.

The final tally was 2.13 GW of sub-100kW systems registered in 2019 following a record installation surge in December, according to solar analyst SunWiz. This represents a jump of a 35% year-on-year and puts the grand total at 10 GW.

Spanish utility Iberdrola is investing $500 million in a massive hybrid renewable energy project in South Australia. The funding will pave the way for the landmark project developed by DP Energy to proceed following a significant delay.