Markets & Policy

From just a handful of large-scale solar PV projects a few years ago, Australia is becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. With a substantial project pipeline, the country is in the box seat to experience a banner year in 2018, with the 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET) now in hand and a new policy taking shape for the period beyond.

The first commercial deployment of Power Ledger’s P2P energy trading platform will take place in partnership with energy solutions business Greenwood Solutions, which will be in charge of installing solar across strata units.

The Chinese technology firm has inked an agreement with EPC provider Biosar for a solar farm in Queensland, estimated at around US$ 30 million – a significant deal for the company’s thriving solar PV division.

‘Unprecedented challenge’ for fossil fuels as low LCOE for solar and wind power, allied to tumbling storage costs, sees renewables claim larger share of bulk and dispatchable generation while adding vital flexibility to global energy mix.

Dylan McConnell from the Australian German Climate and Energy College, at the University of Melbourne, evaluates Federal Government Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher’s claim that South Australians face the highest electricity charges in Australia as a result of the former Weatherill Government’s policies.

Last year, the Chinese module maker shipped 9.8 GW, and achieved revenue of $4.0 billion. Both gross and net profit, however, declined due to lower ASPs, higher polysilicon prices and increased output from OEM partners.

Today the Australian Energy Market Commission’s reliability panel of industry experts and consumer advocates releases its annual review of electricity market performance.

Major Australian brewer Cartlon United Breweries (CUB) has signed a 12-year PPA with BayWa r.e. to purchase 74,000 MWh a year from the 112 MW Karadoc solar farm in Mildura. The move will cut emissions and reduce power costs for the brewer.

The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) is looking more likely to be implemented with the swearing in of Steven Marshall as the South Australia’s 46th premier today. While the change of government, a of the Liberal party’s victory in Saturday’s election will undoubtedly lead to a departure from some of the Weatherill government’s pro-renewables policies, it also silences a vocal opponent to the NEG at the negotiating table.

ARENA to fund pilot projects and studies worth a total of $12.5 to optimize the integration of distributed energy resources (DER) into the electricity network.