US solar tariffs to have little impact on Australian module prices
Australian PV project developers and rooftop installers are unlikely to benefit from module price declines as a result of U.S. solar tariffs. GTM Research analysis reveals that while the tariffs will likely cause an American solar market decline of 11% in 2018, it will not leave Chinese suppliers scrambling to find buyers.
CEFC provides $30 million debt finance for NSW’s largest solar farm
New South Wales’ largest large scale solar project has reached financial close, with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) stepping in to provide debt finance for the project. The two organisations have now worked together to develop 260 MW of renewables in regional NSW.
Surging large-scale solar puts Australia on track for 2020 renewable target
Clean Energy Regulator data reveal that a stellar 2017 has set the Australian renewable sector up to meet 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET). Large scale solar accounts for 46% of the “firmly announced” projects since 2016.
120 MW Munna Creek project receives development approval
Another big utility scale project solar project has taken a step forward in Queensland. The Munna Creek Solar Farm, which is the only project currently being proposed by REST Energy, was approved this week and welcomed by local Mayor as “fantastic news”.
Trump levies graduated tariffs starting at 30%, exempts 2.5 GW in cells
The decision, released on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s website, could keep current U.S. module manufacturers in business by keeping their cell lifelines open.
Builder entices home buyers with free solar+storage packages
Victorian homebuilder Porter Davis has announced its plans to equip 50 new knockdown rebuild homes in Victoria with the Bradford Solar ChargePack, which comes with free solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery, offering a chance to new home owners to insulate their households against rising power prices.
Private PPAs for renewables reach 5.4 GW in 2017, BNEF says
Last year’s result surpassed by more than 1 GW the results registered in 2015 and 2016, when the combined capacity of this market segment reached 4.4 GW and 4.3 GW, respectively.
E-car conflict highlights Liberal Party chasm on clean technology
Electric cars have emerged as a new battle ground within the federal Liberal Party, as it tears itself apart on even the most modest of pronouncements from the Energy Minister.
Longi achieves record conversion rate of 20.41% for PERC module
Longi Green Energy Technology has announced a new record conversion rate of 20.41% for its P-type PERC monocrystalline modules (type 60).
Why 2017’s rooftop record is set to be “smashed”
Australia’s rooftop PV market has never been stronger. After a record-setting 2017, in which over 1.08 GW of rooftop PV was installed, 2018 is set to see that score surpassed at worst and “smashed” at best. Underpinning the world-leading distributed market segment is the perfect storm of five factors, combining to drive residential and C&I solar adoption.
