News

Former Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) CEO Oliver Yates has joined the board of the Australian Solar and Energy Storage Council.

AGL is set to expand its blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer solar trading program. Initially launched as a trial in May, the scheme will be expanded first in Adelaide, although the number of households to which it will be made available in this second stage is yet to be determined.

UK-based asset manager Foresight Group claims to have assembled the largest asset fleet of utility scale solar in Australia. After having acquired four solar projects in Queensland and initiated one Victorian project in less than two years, the fund noted that it had moved quickly to “capitalise on the opportunities.”

Western Australian regional utility Horizon Power is rolling out a new program to incentivize consumers to reduce their consumption during peak hours. The higher fixed tariff may penalize solar homes; however, it does presents an opportunity for battery storage.

The Spanish tracker manufacturer has announced that it has opened an office in Sydney in a bid to ensure its presence in all leading global PV markets.

Western Australia’s electricity provider Horizon Power is set to receive a financial shot in the arm to install various distributed energy technologies in 90 homes and businesses in the coastal town of Carnarvon, which is home to the state’s first utility-scale energy storage, currently under trial.

While known in the global solar sector as an Indian PV leader, if Adani Enterprises’ proposed Carmichael coal mine fails so too could the company. Analyst Tim Buckley says that if the coal mega project cannot be financed and has to be written off or sold cheaply, the company’s debt would be three times larger than the value of its assets.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $5 million to encourage international collaboration between Australian and international renewable energy researchers and professionals. The International Engagement Program (IEP) hopes to accelerate innovation and the commercialisation of home grown cleantech.

With the receipt of the final report by the ITC, the Trump Administration now has 60 days to take action on the Section 201 case. The probability of restrictive tariffs is high, a move that will likely have impacts on the global solar industry.

The peak solar body has warned that the Australian Federal Government is planning to abolish STCs for commercial solar projects – threatening one of the fastest growing market segments.