Clean Energy Regulator: record 1.07 GW small-scale solar installed in 2017
It’s official: 2017 was a record year for rooftop PV in Australia. The Clean Energy Regulator announced today that over 1070 MW of small-scale solar was installed by Australian homeowners and businesses in 2017 – representing 41% growth over 2016.
German researchers create ‘sunlight funnel’ to concentrate light onto solar cells
Scientists led by the University of Braunschweig have developed a new type of solar concentrator, which can concentrate light from any direction onto a small area, such as a solar panel. The researchers say that funnels can be tuned to different light wavelengths and stacked, allowing for conversion of the entire light spectrum into electricity.
What more do we know about the National Energy Guarantee?
The Energy Security Board released its consultation paper on the National Energy Guarantee at the end of last week. Olivia Kember from clean energy advisory Energetics investigates what the emerging policy details reveal about the policy as a means of facilitating emission reductions and spurring innovation.
Storage provider Senec acquired by German utility, shipments to Australia begin
The latest arrival to the Australian battery storage market will now have the backing of a major German utility. German storage provider Senec has been acquired by EnBW, one of Germany’s ‘big three’ utilities.
Sunseap supplying 60 MW multi-rooftop project to Microsoft
Singapore-based solar developer Sunseap will develop 60 MW of rooftop PV across “hundreds of rooftops” on the island-state, to supply Microsoft with solar energy. The companies claim the project will be the largest cumulative solar project in Singapore, alongside being the largest of its kind to supply clean energy to a datacentre in the country.
47 MW solar farm proposed for Wagga Wagga
Prospective PV power plant developer Green Switch Australia has proposed a 47 MW solar farm for the outskirts of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
Powershop drops Vic rates 5% thanks to new hydro, wind, solar assets
Electricity retailer Powershop is dropping the rates for its Victorian customers by 5%, as it adds “a diverse set of renewable generation” to its portfolio. Powershop is the retail arms of New Zealand-based utility Meridian Energy.
Enphase shows turnaround in Q4 results
The struggling microinverter maker narrowed its losses considerably in Q4, as it unveils new products and expands in new markets.
Longi claims 23.6% efficiency for its PERC monocrystalline cells
Only one month after announcing a PERC module efficiency of 20.41%, the Chinese solar manufacturer announced it has now achieved a 23.6% efficiency for its PERC monocrystalline cells, thus beating its own previous records.
Chile’s energy regulator to use Blockchain
The Chilean National Energy Commission will become the country’s first public entity to use Blockchain technology. The new program will begin in March.
