Western Australia: Synergy reported to partner with Dutch fund to meet its RE obligations
Following hot on the heels of the WA energy minister’s approval to create a green power fund, the state-owned electricity provider is reportedly set to bring in a Dutch fund as an investment partner for its renewable energy projects.
Queensland: Gympie council grants permission for 350 MW solar farm
A massive solar farm in the north-east Australian state of Queensland has received a green light from the Gympie Regional Council. The project aims to scale up to 800 MW of solar+storage capacity over the next four years.
BayWa r.e. connects pilot PV+storage project in Zambia
The renewables arm of the agricultural giant BayWa has completed an 86 kW PV + storage project, which will power irrigation equipment for farmers in Zambia. BayWa r.e. notes that demand for offgrid systems, including storage, for irrigation and other agricultural systems is set to grow.
NREL hits new efficiency record for quantum dot cell
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have created a solar cell using colloidal quantum dots, which achieved 13.4% conversion efficiency – a new world record for this emerging technology.
Ingeteam turns to the skies for PV power plant optimization
Spanish inverter supplier Ingeteam is taking part in a research program deploying drones to inspect existing PV power plants, to spot the causes of underperformance. The SCARAB project is headed by the company and has been provided with almost €650,000 (AU$980,000) in funding from the Spanish government.
Redflow targets 250 batteries per month from Thai facility
Zinc-bromide flow battery produced Redflow has announced that it is targeting production of 3,000 batteries a month from its new production facility in Thailand. Operation at the site is slated to begin by the end of 2017.
ING steps into Australian market, to finance 100 MW Clare Solar Farm
ING has joined the banking syndicate backing the 100 MW Clare Solar Farm, in North Queensland. The deal marks ING’s first large scale solar investment in Australia.
Sterling & Wilson picks up 500 MW Australian pipeline
Indian EPC Sterling & Wilson continues to expand its Australian project pipeline. The EPC reports that it is working on projects worth a total of $600 million.
Foresight to issue new share placement, eyes Australian project acquisitions
Having acquired its first Australian projects earlier this year, UK based Foresight is raising funds for future acquisitions. The Foresight Solar Fund has announced plans for more than GBP 75 million (US$99 million) in investments through the placement of new shares.
Melbourne Energy Hack winners develop marketplace to open underutilised rooftops to PV
‘Solar Air-BnB’ model emerges from 2017 Melbourne Energy Hack. Consumers that do not have access to rooftop for a PV installation can be connected to roofs that are currently free of PV in the innovative solution.
