Fire at NSW solar farm
The grass below the 110 MW Beryl Solar Farm in central New South Wales caught fire on Monday, April 24, and was brought under control by emergency services that same afternoon. While the damage is still being assessed, a spokesperson said the unaffected areas of the solar farm will be brought back online today, April 26.
Solis unveils hybrid inverters for rooftop applications
Solis has released a new line of hybrid inverters in five different power output versions, ranging from 3 kW to 8 kW. The hybrid inverters can be used with either lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries, with a maximum charging and discharging current of 190 A.
CATL launches 500 Wh/kg condensed matter battery
Chinese battery industry heavyweight CATL has unveiled a novel condensed matter battery technology with an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg. The company said it can achieve mass production within this year.
Superpower Institute points to ‘once-in-a-century’ opportunity
The chair of a new think tank that is pushing for Australia to accelerate the rollout of renewables and become a global clean energy superpower believes the world’s shift towards green energy is a bigger opportunity for the nation than the resources boom.
Batteries won’t cut it – we need solar thermal technology to get us through the night
Australia’s transition to renewables is gathering speed, but there’s a looming problem with storage. We will need much more long-duration storage to get us through the night, once coal and fossil gas exit the system.
Vena Energy turns on Taiwan’s largest solar project
Vena Energy has announced the commissioning of Taiwan’s largest PV project to date with the developer confirming the 272 MW E2 Solar Project, which it says will be capable of contributing up to 4% of the island nation’s total solar energy output annually, is now fully operational.
Researchers look beyond silicon to potentially double solar cell efficiency
A team at Colorado State University proposes making thin-film solar cells from naturally abundant molybdenum disulfide.
Mobile solar system for farms
India’s Vivasvan Solar has designed a foldable solar structure mounted on a trolley. The system has mechanisms to prevent damage to the panels during transit and is especially useful for agricultural farms.
Weekend read: ‘Solar crime’ on the rise
With copper prices rising, inflation driving up the cost of living, and organised criminal gangs stepping up operations in the United Kingdom and across Europe, solar project owners need to be more conscious than ever of security, reports Max Hall.
Inertia measurement tech tipped to increase renewables on grid
The Australian Energy Market Operator will undertake a trial of real-time inertia measurement technology in Victoria as it looks to ensure reliability and stability across the electricity network as more renewable generators come online and coal-fired power continues to exit the nation’s energy mix.
