China mulling restrictions on polysilicon, wafer exports
The Chinese government is considering the introduction of export restrictions on solar wafers, black silicon, and silicon casting equipment. It has launched a public consultation process on the proposed measures.
Multi-day iron-air batteries to be hosted in former US coal sites
Form Energy will install two 10 MW / 1,000 MWh batteries on the sites of Xcel Energy’s former coal-fired plants.
MPower acquires Faraday solar project in Victoria as it grows its mid-scale play
Australian renewable energy developer MPower has acquired the shovel-ready 5 MW Faraday solar project in Victoria. The purchase is part of the company’s broad mid-scale strategy.
Longi increases product warranty to 25 years
Chinese manufacturer Longi has increased the product warranty for its Hi-MO 5m modules to 25 years in Australia and New Zealand. The company says the ten year boost comes “after identifying how important it has become for consumers to have full confidence and peace of mind at the time of choosing their solar system components.”
C&I customers to offtake 25% of generation from Australia’s biggest solar farm
Commercial and industrial energy retailer SmartestEnergy Australia have signed a power purchasing agreement with Octopus Australia to offtake 25% of generation from its Darlington Point Solar Farm in New South Wales.
Green hydrogen straight from the ocean: Adelaide researchers crack new method
Researchers from the University of Adelaide, along with international partners, have successfully used seawater with no pre-treatment to produce green hydrogen. The team did this by introducing an acid layer over the catalysts in situ. “We have split natural seawater into oxygen and hydrogen with nearly 100% efficiency… using a non-precious and cheap catalyst in a commercial electrolyser,” University of Adelaide’s Professor Shizhang Qiao said.
Acen Renewables starts building 360 MW of utility-scale solar in Philippines
Acen Renewables, a Manila-based developer, is building two solar plants in the provinces of Pangasinan and Zambales.
Indian coal miner commissions utility-scale floating PV array
Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd. (SCCL) has commissioned 5 MW of a 15 MW floating solar plant on the Singareni Thermal Power Station reservoir in India.
Australia and Germany tip $100 million into green hydrogen projects
An Australian cleantech company that claims its technology could enable hydrogen production of below $1.50 per kilogram by the middle of the decade is one of four green fuel projects to share in more than $100 million (USD 78 million) funding awarded as part of a collaboration between the Australian and German governments.
RES plans 600 MWh big battery as coal-fired plants exit system
UK-based developer Renewable Energy Systems Group is planning to build a 250 MW/600 MWh battery energy storage system in the New South Wales Hunter region that is says would provide critical grid services and support Australia’s renewable energy transition.
