CEFC and Aware Super commit to emissions conscious private-equity fund
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, have both committed $80 million to Adamantem Capital, a private-equity fund which requires its target companies to meet strict emissions reduction targets. For the CEFC, this is the beginning of decarbonisation in a part of the economy lagging behind, namely, private equity.
VIC sets new energy efficiency targets for reductions in bills and emissions
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, has announced accelerated targets for the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, a way for Victorians to save on their bills and contribute to the state’s emissions reduction targets.
Thousands of solar panels to shade car park at Australia’s biggest shopping centre
Australia’s largest shopping centre, Vicinity Centres’ Fashion Capital in Chadstone, has announced it will be adding more than 400 solar shaded parking bays as part of a multimillion-dollar car park upgrade.
Passing gas … on the road to renewables
The Climate Council has published a report to put the final nail in the outdated notion of gas as a transition fuel, and to nix the validity of a gas-led recovery.
Solar capacity ‘tantalisingly’ close to exceeding expectations but analyst warns of ‘logical’ downturn
Australia is teetering on the upper limit of solar installation expectations for 2020, but this remarkable growth pattern continuing into next year would defy logic, says Tristan Edis.
WA completes first installations of $6 million in solar for public housing
As part of the Western Australian Government’s WA Recovery Plan, $6 million in funding was provided for a Smart Energy for Social Housing program. The program, which should see 500 properties fitted out with solar systems, got underway recently with the first 10 homes already basking in summer savings.
Viva announces MoUs for potential oil refinery transition to Geelong Energy Hub
Viva Energy Australia has signed memorandums of understanding with key industry partners would could see its Geelong oil refinery, currently struggling to transition to an LNG terminal, transition into an energy hub featuring solar and hydrogen.
Adaptive solar shade system means horticulturalists can smell the roses
Researchers have modelled the effects of various PV module arrangements on a greenhouse used for rose growing in Iran’s Shiraz region. The team determined a ‘sweet spot’ where modules produced the most energy and provided optimal growth conditions for the crop.
New renewables fund champions the low-risk, small utility-scale solar sector
Small-footprint solar farms can get a purchase on distribution lines, they’re virtually pop-up in terms of construction time, and a smart development model can be easily repeated. The Solarion Renewable Fund wants to let investors into its clean little secret.
Weekend read: Prospects for bifacial and large-format products
The pandemic and accidents at polysilicon labs in China’s Xinjiang region put PV manufacturers under pressure to maintain production this year, while slowing cell and module R&D. After half-cut and multi-busbar becomes commonplace, manufacturers will continue to explore the high-density assembly methods that emerged last year, as well as n-type cells. But the market is also shifting to large formats, and the share of bifacial products is growing this year. As sizing up modules can bring immediate returns, PV InfoLink’s Amy Fang expects the PV industry to prioritise the development of large formats and bifacial products next year.
