Scientists study impact of bushfire smoke on solar power generation
Scientists have quantified the impact of wildfires on the availability of direct normal irradiance and global horizontal irradiance at the state, regional, and national levels in the United States. They have found that direct irradiance is more sensitive to smoke than the PV-relevant global horizontal irradiance.
South Australian solar discovery could transform hydrogen production
An international study led by Flinders University in Adelaide has advanced nano-scale chemistry to further develop sustainable and efficient generation of hydrogen from water using solar power.
Australia Papua New Guinea off-grid solar collaboration lights up lives
Residents in the Huon Gulf District of Papua New Guinea have begun receiving 8,700 solar installations in homes and schools across 18 remote villages as part of a collaboration between the island country and Australia.
Research questions why microgrids are not ‘the norm’ in remote Australia
Researchers from four Australian universities have released a new paper questioning why solar microgrids are not ‘the norm’ in remote Central Australia, while energy insecurity prevails in very remote Aboriginal households.
Remote hybrid solar and battery system targets replacement of diesel power
A Western Australia-based hybrid solar and battery system developer has demonstrated its hybrid units deployed in remote locations for businesses and communities can potentially replace around 150 litres of diesel per day.
Year in review: Solar and storage trends in 2024
In five key trends, pv magazine looks back over a year that saw PV module prices fall lower than many thought possible, while demand was restrained by grid congestion, among other challenges. Energy storage has had a strong year and geopolitics is seeing solar and battery manufacturing enter new regions as competition drives technical innovation.
Total renewable energy capacity CER approved in 2024 almost double of 2023
The Clean Energy Regulator has released the November 2024 large-scale renewable energy target market data showing that 4,156 MW from 506 power stations was approved in 2024, with 510 MW in November 2024 alone, up from a total of 2,206 MW in 2023.
Kiwi joint venture plans New Zealand’s biggest solar farm on North Island
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Nova Energy has partnered with gentailer Meridian Energy to build the 400 MW Te Rahui solar farm, to become the country’s largest, while more solar projects are expected to quickly come on line following the government’s passing its fast-track approvals bill into law.
Remote businesses swap diesel generation for off-grid clean energy subscriptions
An alliance of clean energy companies are establishing off-grid solar arrays and battery storage units in remote communities to enable local businesses to source reliable renewable energy by subscription.
Major NSW transmission projects get a towering $1.9 billion CEFC investment
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has committed up to $1.9 billion to back developer Transgrid in delivery of tranmissions projects HumeLink and the New South Wales side of the Victoria-NSW Interconnector.
