Vast Solar seeks funding for 50 MW CSP, PV hybrid
The Sydney-based developer is seeking $75 million to help finance a 50 MW hybrid project, following a successful 1 MW pilot. Vast Solar is looking to deploy its innovative CSP technology, which uses sodium as a heat transfer fluid to capture concentrated solar energy that can then be stored and used on demand, on the utility-scale.
Low, middle income households install solar more than wealthy
New myth-busting analysis has revealed that rooftop solar is not so much in vogue among the wealthy, but is more popular among poorer households. Cost-saving benefits are, however, being blunted by high fixed charges, while energy retailers are profiteering from households with solar PV, states the report from the Victoria Energy Policy Climate.
Morrison to announce $2 billion over 10 years for climate fund
Scott Morrison will announce $A2 billion over a decade for a Climate Solutions Fund, as the government seeks to counter criticisms that it is not doing enough towards dealing with climate change.
Southeast Asia’s solar energy “Cubed”
Rystad Energy, an independent research and business-intelligence company serving energy investors, has launched the Southeast Asian hub of its RenewableCube data-analysis product. At an exclusive gathering in a Barangaroo tower suite last Friday, Minh Khoi Le, Research Analyst for APAC Renewables outlined the solar prospects for the region with Vietnam at its irradiant centre.
Carnegie commissions Garden Island microgrid project
WA-based renewable energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy has completed commissioning of a microgrid project, featuring 2 MW solar PV and 2 MW/0.5 MWh battery, at a naval base in Western Australia.
Western Power to roll out 57 stand-alone power systems at farms
The Western Australian government-owned utility has inked $8.8 million in contracts signed for the first stage of its landmark off-grid program for regional properties. The deployment will be led by local WA companies, Hybrid Systems and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems.
Solar Bill of Rights introduced in California
The legislation would enshrine a customer’s right to generate and store electricity on their own property as well as connecting to the grid without undue burden and freedom from discriminatory fees, as well as setting compensation for battery exports.
Glencore ramps battery-building resources as it caps coal
2019 is showing signs of a seismic tremor in corporate attitudes to climate change and renewable-energy opportunities, with Glencore one of Australia’s biggest coal miners yesterday announcing it will prioritise production of commodities essential to energy transition.
China stirs the PV world – by preparing to shift to auction mechanism
Projects not encompassed by the new, central-subsidy-free, ‘grid-parity’ regime will be eligible to bid for a government subsidy. But, at a reported $446 million, the pot is not big.
NSW Labor commits to train 4,500 skilled solar electricians
After announcing a policy to drive 9 GW of renewable energy within a decade if elected, NSW Labor has pledged to invest $11 million to train and accredit electricians to install and maintain the new solar energy infrastructure in the state.
