Rio Tinto to power Pilbara iron ore mine with solar PV
Mining giant Rio Tinto has approved the construction of a large-scale solar PV and battery energy storage system for its Koodaideri mine in Western Australia. When completed, the solar plant will be in the running for Australia’s largest PV installation at a mining site.
Pioneering solar-powered aircraft completes Australian test flight
The PHASA-35 crewless solar and battery-powered aircraft completed its first test flight this week. The pioneering solar-powered aircraft could fill a niche as a cheap alternative to satellites.
Daintree solar to hydrogen microgrid closing on reality
An Australian-first solar to hydrogen-based microgrid for the World Heritage Protected Daintree Rainforest is another step closer to reality this week after Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch revealed the feasibility study funded by the Federal Government last year is “on track”.
Sydney’s Inner West targets 1000% increase in solar generation
Sydney’s Inner West Council has set an ambitious target of 1000% increase in solar generation over the next decade. Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from all parties as the Inner West looks to help its residents toward a sustainable future.
UNSW students and solar PV in remote Vanuatuan communities
UNSW student groups have been visiting Tanna Island in Vanuatu for over a decade. The solar PV solutions they’ve brought with them have helped many communities, but since Cyclone Pam tore through the region in 2015, sustainable solar is more important more than ever.
5 things to watch in Australian solar sector in 2020
Despite a massive drop in renewable energy investment seen last year, 2020 promises to bring both good and bad news for the Australian solar sector. While network conditions will continue to deteriorate, the low-carbon policy will become more supportive but also more chaotic.
Wagga Wagga goes solar solar
As part of its $1.7 million investment in a greener future, the City of Wagga Wagga is set to install a series of solar PV arrays across its sites. Meanwhile, construction continues on the nearby 120 MW Bomen Solar Farm.
Melbourne energy storage startup set to charge into U.S. market
Melbourne startup Relectrify is on the verge of a U.S. breakthrough with its highly efficient and cost-effective battery storage technology.
Northern Territory schools set for solar savings
Northern Territory Labor’s $5 million Rooftop Solar Program to Reduce School Electricity Costs has finalised the schools chosen for the three-year program. The program forms part of the Territory’s Roadmap to Renewables Plan.
Perth’s first utility-scale community battery
Synergy and Western Power’s PowerBank trial has reached another milestone with the integration of a utility-scale community battery into Perth’s major metropolitan network.
