Long read: Past and future glories for PV cell, module makers
Since 2009, when production capacity expansions began to outstrip demand for the first time, prices all along the solar supply chain fell, and have continued to do so almost continuously ever since. Simon Price, CEO of Exawatt, argues that solar is no longer in the ‘cost reduction era,’ and is now entering its ‘performance driven era,’ in which the goal for manufacturers is high performance at an acceptable cost, rather than acceptable performance at the lowest cost.
Milestones passed on the road to an Australian Performance Standard for Battery Testing
The Australian Battery Performance Standard Project (ABPS) was launched in June of 2018 and has now advanced into its second and last stage after completing an intensive period of analysis and calibration. Along with the recently completed ITP Renewables testing, Australia will soon have comprehensive standards across the board. The ratification of performance standards would solidify Australia’s place as a front-runner in the global battery storage industry.
Risen Energy’s Yarranlea Solar Farm nearing completion
Chinese PV module maker Risen Energy has announced that it is advancing rapidly towards the completion of its 121 MW Yarranlea Solar Farm in Queensland, with construction scheduled to conclude as early as October 2019.
An overview of the world’s largest solar power plants – 3
In the third of a series of four blogs, solar pioneer Philip Wolfe lists the world’s largest solar power plants. In these articles, a ‘solar plant’ is defined as an individual generating station.
Virtual power plant maximizes performance of renewables assets during periods of energy oversupply
Using a VPP to regulate thousands of data points according to price signals can enable generation asset owners to take care of their systems within seconds and with very high granularity.
First tenders awarded in $5 million Rooftop Solar Schools program
As part of its plans to transition to 50% renewable energy by 2030, the Northern Territory government is moving forward with its solar schools program with tenders awarded for installation at five schools.
Cell and module prices falling in China
Taiwanese analyst Energytrend saw prices for high power products fall over the past week, but so far only in China. That trend could be replicated around the world next week, however.
Energy sector gets first open-source, tailor-made blockchain
A public enterprise grade energy blockchain has powered up with the promise to accelerate a low-carbon, distributed electricity future. For the first time, energy sector companies are hosting validator nodes on a decentralized network as they seek to adapt to a more digitalized and decentralized energy system.
Researchers develop method to synthesize graphene from eucalyptus bark
A team of Australian and Indian researchers has developed a method to synthesize soluble graphene in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way from one of Australia’s most abundant resources, gum trees.
Solar Cutters build a community to slash poor quality PV installations, components
Poor quality installations and components plagued the state-based FIT era of Australian solar. Unscrupulous ‘phoenix’ retailers remain a problem today. Solar Cutters directors, founders and good friends, Kosta Bourandanis and Jack Long decided to take the problem into their own hands, in a pretty unique way.
