Rebate change triggers record 2.4 GWh home storage registrations in April 2026
Changes on May 1 to the federal government’s cheaper home battery rebate triggered a frenzy of registrations to the scheme across Australia in April 2026 as households dived in last minute to take advantage of subsidies, with registrations peaking at a record 2.4 GWh capacity.
UNE accelerates silicon wafer recycling using AI computations and robotics
Researchers from the University of New England’s Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence are using artificial intelligence and powerful supercomputers to assess potential solvents to separate silicon wafers with minimal contamination.
Neoen’s second-largest solar farm globally begins operation in NSW
France-headquartered grid-scale solar and battery storage system developer Neoen Australia has begun operation of its 350 MW Culcairn Solar Farm in New South Wales, one of numerous assets adding to its goal of 10 GW capacity in Australia by 2030.
Premier Energies unveils 600-630 W all-black TOPCon solar modules
The Indian manufacturer said its new all-black panel series features a power conversion efficiency of up to 23.32% and a bifaciality factor of up to 85%.
Longi announces world record efficiency of 28.13% for silicon solar cell
Longi claims to have achieved the world’s highest efficiency for a silicon solar cell. The result was confirmed by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin.
Field tests show tracker-based bifacial PV outperforms fixed-tilt counterparts with 13.5% higher ouput in desert enviroments
A Qatari research team found that utilising bifacial 2P horizontal single-axis tracking PV systems in desert conditions produced up to 13.5% more electricity than fixed-tilt systems over long-term field testing. The study also showed strong seasonal and technology-dependent performance, with tracker advantages varying with irradiance and weather conditions.
Risen Energy unveils new C&I energy storage system solution
China-headquartered solar panel and energy storage solutions manufacturer Risen Energy has announced its RisenStack Pro Modular ESS has passed Australia’s new C&I energy storage certification – covering electrical safety, EMC, and functional safety, and complies with Australian standards.
Queensland researchers develop lead-free perovskite material
University of Queensland researchers have developed a safe and scalable vapour-based manufacturing process for fabricating high-quality lead-free perovskite material with fewer performance-limiting defects.
350,000 installations in 10 months under Cheaper Home Batteries Program
The federal government has reported that 350,000 households, small businesses and community organisations have installed battery energy storage systems in the past 10 months, under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
New irrigation tech helps reduce water use in agrivoltaics
Spanish researchers found that combining agrivoltaics with regulated deficit irrigation can cut tomato irrigation water use by about 50%, while improving land-use efficiency through simultaneous crop and solar energy production.
