Opinion: Regressive energy policy fails to stifle Australia’s enthusiasm for energy storage
Australia tipped by BNEF to be distributed storage hotspot, despite a lack of policy support. BNEF forecasts global storage market to double in size more than six times between now and 2030.
Lyon’s solar+storage Australian projects reported to attract bids
After vowing bigger battery plans than Elon Musk’s Tesla deal in South Australia, Lyon Group is now reported to have received bids for three of its utility-scale solar power and battery projects located in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
Leading solar, storage bodies combine to form Smart Energy Council
The Smart Energy Council, a merger of Australia’s leading industry bodies for solar and storage, will be looking to better reflect the country’s energy future.
Californian project recognised for demonstrating solar’s supply of grid services
California’s grid operator (ISO) says that a joint National Renewable Energy Lab, First Solar and the California Independent System Operator project shows that renewable energy plants with smart inverter technology can provide grid services similar to, or in some cases better than conventional generation.
BNEF: China to install 54 GW in 2017
According to a newly released forecast by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, China is likely to install up to 54 GW of solar PV before the year is out, surpassing previous expectations.
Lazard shows ongoing cost declines in solar
The consultancy’s 2017 study finds that the global cost of utility-scale solar has reached an unsubsidized LCOE of under US$50 per megawatt-hour, making new solar cost-competitive with running existing coal or nuclear plants.
Solliance hits new perovskite milestone
European research group Solliance has announced new conversion efficiencies of 13.5% (cell) and 12.2% (module) for its perovskite based PV technology. The group states that the records were achieved in a factory setting, using an industrially scalable roll to roll process.
Wirsol reports Australian utility scale market leadership, claims 20% share
German renewables developer Wirsol claims to be the PV power plant market leader in Australia, achieving around 20% market share of projects currently under construction. It entered the market less than twelve months ago.
SMA rounds out 2017 with 1.2 GW of Australian power plant contracts
SMA is set to supply its central inverters and power plant controllers to more than 20 PV power plant projects in Australia. Today the inverter giant revealed that it has signed contracts to supply its Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS) and the SMA Power Plant Controller to around 1.2 GW in projects.
Australian government to back blockchain PV, water project
The Australian government has agreed to provide $2.57 million to support a two-year pilot project that will use blockchain technology to pair utility-scale and commercial rooftop PV with a battery, electric vehicle charging stations and water treatment and capture systems in the port city of Fremantle.
