SEC warns of installer “bloodbath” if Victorian Solar Homes Program remains unchanged
The fallout of Victoria’s Solar Homes Program is verging on a “bloodbath” in the words of the Smart Energy Council (SEC) CEO John Grimes, who spoke at length in a SEC Webinar featuring over 200 Victorian solar industry actors about the adverse impacts of the program for both the industry and consumers. The SEC is now readying for action.
NSW Parliament launch inquiry into the sustainability of its energy future
The New South Wales Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment and Planning has launched an inquiry into the future sustainability of the state’s energy supply and resources. The question being asked: “What does the future of energy look like in NSW?”
PV module demand expected to reach 125.5 GW in 2019, TrendForce
According to the Taiwanese market research company, PV module demand will increase by 16% over 2018 shipments. TrendForce also believes this growth trend will continue in 2020.
Australian airports turn to emissions-linked financing amid growing appetite for sustainable lending
As sustainability-linked debt financing continues to gather momentum, Australian airports are turning to innovative funding mechanisms. In the latest such deal, the operator of Gold Coast Airport will be incentivised to reduce carbon emissions under a loan agreement with Commonwealth Bank and Westpac.
Australia’s first compressed air energy storage facility gets go-ahead
The South Australian government has given its tick of approval for the development of a 5 MW/10 MWh compressed air energy storage facility, which will store excess solar and wind power at a closed underground mine.
Wind and solar cut rather than boost Australia’s wholesale electricity prices
Wholesale prices in the National Electricity Market have climbed significantly in recent years. The increase has coincided with a rapid increase in the proportion of electricity supplied by wind and solar generators. But that needn’t mean the increase in wind and solar generation caused the increase in prices. It might have been caused by other things.
Batteries well-suited to play valuable role in grid management in New Zealand’s energy transition
A report published by New Zealand’s state-owned transmission grid operator Transpower finds the widespread uptake of distributed battery storage could play an important role in supporting the power system as rooftop PV and electric vehicles are increasingly adopted.
Future Super to invest $200,000 in RateSetter P2P solar, storage loans
Retail super fund Future Super is backing peer-to-peer (P2P) solar loans to the tune of $200,000. While only small change, the move is claimed to be the first investment of a retail super fund in P2P clean technology lending.
More calls for review of Victoria’s Solar Homes Program
Following similar calls from other industry bodies, the Clean Energy Council has urged the Victorian government to review its landmark Solar Homes Program and warned about the serious effects its dynamics has on the industry.
Terregra switches on its first merchant solar farm in South Australia
The 5 MW Mobilong Solar Farm will run on a fully merchant offtake arrangement over its 30-year lifetime.
