Meridian to proceed with $206 million Ruakākā Solar Farm
Construction of New Zealand-headquartered Meridian Energy’s 120 MW Ruakākā Solar Farm is set to begin in August 2025, following the project reaching a final $206 million investment decision.
Early engagement with stakeholders key to enhance acceptance of agrivoltaics
An new report on agrivoltaic systems highlights early communications with local stakeholders goes a long way to enhance the societal acceptance of agrivoltaic projects, predicted to play roles in food production resilience and climate change mitigation.
Solar’s exponential growth disrupts global energy markets in 2024
Australian think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF) says global energy markets are being reshaped by solar’s disruption, which is happening at speed, turbocharged by battery energy storage system firming.
Sydney basketball association scores interest-free solar and battery loan
The City of Sydney Basketball Association has a new donor-enabled 39.78 kW solar and 25.6 kWh battery system, funded via an interest-free loan from the national climate action charity CORENA.
New passive solar module cooling tech based on lightweight hydrogel
Researchers at Thailand’s Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology demonstrated a novel hydrogel that has high cooling effect on silicon PV panels.
IKEA Australia Sydney warehouse furnished with hybrid solar and battery system
IKEA Australia has partnered with Smart Commercial Solar to install a $2.9 million, 2,034 kW rooftop solar and battery energy storage system on a western Sydney distribution centre.
Rooftop solar capacity in 2024 Australia tracking to 3.2 GW record: regulator
The Clean Energy Regulator’s quarterly carbon market report finds rooftop solar capacity in 2024 is likely to have been about 3.2 GW and could set an Australian record.
Equis reaches financial close and starts build of 500 MWh Calala BESS
Melbourne-headquartered infrastructure developer Equis Australia has reached financial close and commenced construction on the 250 MW / 500 MWh Calala battery energy storage system, and an offtake agreement with Smartest Energy.
New 13 MW New Zealand-based solar farm goes live near south Auckland
Aotearoa New Zealand utility-scale solar developer Kiwi Solar has announced its 13 MW Ardmore Solar Farm near South Auckland is now live, after a 5.5 month construction period.
‘Maintenance first’ approach needed to fix $1.35 billion annual solar leak
Every commercial solar system ever built, or ever to be built, will inevitably require maintenance. Yet, across Australia’s renewable energy sector, maintenance remains chronically overlooked – often treated as an afterthought rather than an essential part of solar asset management.
