Leading solar, storage bodies combine to form Smart Energy Council
The Smart Energy Council, a merger of Australia’s leading industry bodies for solar and storage, will be looking to better reflect the country’s energy future.
Californian project recognised for demonstrating solar’s supply of grid services
California’s grid operator (ISO) says that a joint National Renewable Energy Lab, First Solar and the California Independent System Operator project shows that renewable energy plants with smart inverter technology can provide grid services similar to, or in some cases better than conventional generation.
BNEF: China to install 54 GW in 2017
According to a newly released forecast by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, China is likely to install up to 54 GW of solar PV before the year is out, surpassing previous expectations.
Lazard shows ongoing cost declines in solar
The consultancy’s 2017 study finds that the global cost of utility-scale solar has reached an unsubsidized LCOE of under US$50 per megawatt-hour, making new solar cost-competitive with running existing coal or nuclear plants.
Solliance hits new perovskite milestone
European research group Solliance has announced new conversion efficiencies of 13.5% (cell) and 12.2% (module) for its perovskite based PV technology. The group states that the records were achieved in a factory setting, using an industrially scalable roll to roll process.
Wirsol reports Australian utility scale market leadership, claims 20% share
German renewables developer Wirsol claims to be the PV power plant market leader in Australia, achieving around 20% market share of projects currently under construction. It entered the market less than twelve months ago.
SMA rounds out 2017 with 1.2 GW of Australian power plant contracts
SMA is set to supply its central inverters and power plant controllers to more than 20 PV power plant projects in Australia. Today the inverter giant revealed that it has signed contracts to supply its Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS) and the SMA Power Plant Controller to around 1.2 GW in projects.
Australian government to back blockchain PV, water project
The Australian government has agreed to provide $2.57 million to support a two-year pilot project that will use blockchain technology to pair utility-scale and commercial rooftop PV with a battery, electric vehicle charging stations and water treatment and capture systems in the port city of Fremantle.
ASC adds financial expertise, Oliver Yates joins board
Former Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) CEO Oliver Yates has joined the board of the Australian Solar and Energy Storage Council.
AGL to expand peer-to-peer solar trial
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.
