300 MW Rodds Bay Solar Farm finally gets the go-ahead
After several stalled years, construction of the 300 MW Rodds Bay Solar Farm in Queensland is finally imminent. Developer, Renew Estate, has been issued its Notice to Proceed under its connection agreement with Powerlink Queensland.
Rooftop solar surges to record highs before lockdown
Analysis from Green Energy Markets shows the Australian rooftop PV market in robust health during the first three months of 2020. According to STC data, more than 30,000 rooftop installations were registered in the month, for a total of close to 250 MW of capacity. And then came Covid-19.
WA passes Pilbara electricity reform bill
The Western Australian State Parliament has passed an electricity reform bill that will see a new regulatory framework for the Pilbara and support stand-alone power and storage systems – already being rolled out by both Western Power and regional utility Horizon Power.
A mechanical technique for PV module recycling
An Italian consortium has developed a panel recycling process it claims can recover up to 99% of raw materials. The developers claim their technique takes only 40 seconds to fully recycle a standard panel, depending on size and recycling site conditions.
600 MW Oven Mountain pumped hydro project gets ARENA funding to prove its viability
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing nearly one million dollars for a study that will analyze the benefits that pumped hydro energy storage would have on the development of the New England Renewable Energy Zone in northern New South Wales.
Global coal generation fell by a record amount in 2019, while COVID-19 may cause bigger fall in 2020
Short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic on electricity markets are still unclear.
Power Ledger to give French customers their choice of energy
Western Australian peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading pioneer Power Ledger has revealed the world’s biggest ‘choose your own energy source’ project in France.
WA Government announces energy bill relief
Western Australia’s McGowan Labor Government has announced its $1 billion economic and health relief package to assuage the effects of Covid-19. Key to the relief package is support for Western Australians struggling to pay their electricity bills.
Preventing PID at 1500 volts
Scientists in Germany have developed a “heavy duty” test to provide insight into the long term effects of potential induced degradation in PV modules. The tests go well beyond those established by IEC standards and seek to guide manufacturers and investors on the best choice of materials – encapsulants in particular – when it comes to long term PID resistance.
Jemalong solar farm starts construction largely unaffected by Covid-19
One of the largest solar projects scheduled to break ground this year has moved into the construction phase mostly unaffected by Covid-19 disruption.
