News

Shanghai-based solar module manufacturer Sunman has warned government-imposed restrictions on the manufacture of glass in China could have an enormous effect on Australia’s booming solar industry.

Australia’s largest Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is set to be energised with the New South Wales Government announcing it will soon seek registrations of interest from solar, wind and energy storage project proponents keen to be part of the massive 8 GW New England REZ.

The Electric Vehicle Council (ECV) has taken a swipe at Australia’s politicians, claiming they are “Holden” the nation back after automotive giant General Motors announced it is going all electric and plans to be carbon neutral by 2040 in its global products and operations.

Korea Zinc Company Ltd., parent company of Townsville-based Sun Metals, has entered into a $17 million financing agreement with the 1,100km CopperString 2.0 transmission line project across North Queensland. The project, which received an $11 million boost from the Federal Government recently, would open up enormous tracts of land for the development of renewable projects and minerals.

Australian technology company Star Scientific has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippines’ Department of Energy in order to trace out the use of its game-changing HERO technology. The partnership could see Star Scientific transform every coal-fired power plant in the nation to green hydrogen while also utilising the technology to, among other things, provide clean, quick, desalinated water.

Six new arrays with a combined capacity of 120 kW will be installed on the International Space Station starting from this year. The panels will be brought to the station with the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft during three resupply missions. The installation of each solar array will require two spacewalks.

A new report from the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) shows that PV has not been growing significantly in Indonesia in recent years, despite the size of the energy market and economy. According to its authors, however, there are multiple paths that can be followed to bring volumes into all market segments. Large scale solar is expected to play a major role in the years to come, as the LCOE for big floating projects is approaching levels close to those of more mature markets.

The world’s biggest solar and storage project is a step closer to realisation with the Northern Territory Government and Singaporean-based Sun Cable signing a milestone agreement which will advance development of the $22 billion Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL).

Australia’s most powerful business lobby has thrown its support behind independent MP Zali Steggall’s proposed climate change legislation, saying it provides a high-level policy framework that can serve as a starting point to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 in Australia.

Australian-listed oil and gas exploration and development company Real Energy has continued its push into renewable energy, signing a joint venture agreement with private company Liberty Hydrogen to develop four large-scale hydrogen hubs on Australia’s east coast.