Keeping up with curtailment 2025: Beneath the headline numbers
Curtailment remains one of the clearest signs of the challenges that face both existing and new solar and wind projects in the NEM. Rising levels of curtailment are increasingly shaping development decisions for both greenfield and brownfield projects across the solar and wind fleet. While interest in ‘hybrid’ projects is growing, they still represent only a small share of current installed capacity.
NSW claims mine approval boosts clean energy supply chain credentials
The New South Wales government has approved a new copper mine it says will support the state’s renewable energy transition and reinforce its place in global clean energy technology supply chains.
Rooftop solar hits 28.3 GW as home battery uptake ‘straps on a rocket’
Australia’s rooftop solar fleet continues to expand with a combined 28.3 GW of generation capacity commissioned by the end of 2025 with approximately 4.3 million installations across the country.
Developer lands federal backing for 26 GW green hydrogen hub in WA’s Pilbara
Plans to build a 26 GW solar, wind, and green hydrogen project in Western Australia’s Pilbara are set to accelerate with the federal government providing a $21 million funding injection to further advance the project.
Cargill launches on-site solar system at Newcastle plant
Cargill, the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader, has launched its first utility-scale renewable energy project in Australia, switching on a 2.58 MW solar array at its Newcastle oilseed processing facility.
Growatt launches 5 kWh AC-coupled battery storage system
The IP66-rated Aura 5000 energy storage system features bidirectional inverter functionality and an AC output of up to 2.5 kW.
NREL researchers quantify UV-induced degradation levels in TOPCon solar cells
Researchers at NREL found that UV exposure can cause significant, partly non-recoverable degradation in TOPCon solar cells, with strong cell-to-cell and intra-cell variability linked to passivation and processing inconsistencies. While some UV-related losses recover quickly under light and are unlikely to affect field performance, the findings highlight gaps in current qualification tests and the need for improved UV aging standards.
Onyx Solar BIPV solution turns skyscraper skin into power source
Spanish building integrated PV manufacturer Onyx Solar is delivering a custom building integrated PV system featuring almost 1,800 solar glass ‘louvres’ designed to help power Australian tech giant Atlassian’s new 39-storey headquarters in downtown Sydney with 100% renewable energy.
NSW court dismisses appeal against solar and battery project
Plans to build a 100 MW solar farm and 45 MW, two-hour capacity battery energy storage system in the Yass Valley have been given fresh impetus with a New South Wales court dismissing concerns the project will affect the region’s rural character.
UNSW researchers identify new damp heat-induced failure mechanism in TOPCon solar modules
UNSW researchers identified a new damp-heat degradation mechanism in TOPCon modules with laser-fired contacts, driven primarily by rear-side recombination and open-circuit voltage loss rather than series-resistance increase. The study highlights that magnesium in white EVA encapsulants accelerates degradation, guiding improved encapsulant and backsheet selection for more reliable modules in humid environments.
