Spotlight on Australian solar – what’s working, why, and where there’s room to grow
Company Solahart, which originated in Perth, has delivered a heartening snapshot of solar Australia. It found the country deploys renewable energy 10 times faster per capita than the global average, four times faster per capita than in Europe, China, Japan or the U.S.A. Solahart examined what motivates different demographics of Australians to install solar and which parts of the country are most suited to solar.
Tasmanian sheep farm installs flow battery-based microgrid system
Redflow’s Systems Integration Architect and largest shareholder has brought his work home, installing a 280kWh Redflow battery-based microgrid at his sheep farm in northwest Tasmania.
Federal government commits a further $275m to regional hydrogen hubs, devotes similar sum to controversial technology
Australia’s federal government has pledged a further $275.5 million to develop regional hydrogen hubs and $263.7 million for carbon capture and storage technology in a pre-budget announcement ahead of the climate summit on Thursday.
Morrison continues to deflect net zero 2050 commitments despite growing international pressure
At an inner-city dinner party for the Australian Business Council, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “we will not achieve net zero in the cafes, dinner parties and wine bars of our inner cities”; and he was right, because at this particular inner-city dinner party he continued to shy away from net zero 2050 commitments.
Shaded solar parks found to be beneficial for pollinators and plants alike
Researchers in the US ascertained that the partial shading provided by solar parks creates a microclimate that favours the abundant growth of more varied flowers and pollinators. They also found that partial shading increases bloom abundance by delaying bloom timing, increasing forage for pollinators during the hot and dry late season.
Indian firm acquires American hydrogen cylinder maker in bid to further market domination
New Delhi-headquartered Uttam Group of Companies has purchased California-based Catalina Composites as it positions itself for a surge in demand for clean energy solutions, including hydrogen. The company will invest at least $20 million in staff, equipment, and research and development of high-pressure cylinder production for hydrogen and compressed natural gas.
NSW installer receives unexpected response from customers after switching exclusively to microinverters
Solar installer Jake Warner has received surprising feedback from his customers after he chose to transition his company, Penrith Solar, exclusively to microinverters two months ago. “What I found is actually the opposite to what I expected,” Warner told pv magazine Australia.
Australia’s top dairy processor signs 10-year renewable power purchasing deal
Australia’s largest dairy processor, Saputo Dairy Australia, has signed a 10 year power purchasing agreement with French-owned power company Engie to reduce its emissions through renewably sourced electricity.
Hydrogen plant in SA would already return millions in profit, research finds
A hydrogen production plant in South Australia would already be profitable, analysis from Cornwall Insight Australia has found.
CEFC loan enables industrial property developments with ‘potential to revolutionise energy use’
International developer Frasers Property Group, which owns Australian-based Frasers Property Australia, has secured a $300 million sustainability linked loan with $75 million provided by the Australian government. The loan will see innovative clean energy technologies installed two Australian industrial projects in New South Wales and Victoria.
