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The first batch of solar panels at the 42.5 MW solar project, located next to the idled Collinsville coal-fired power station, have been switched on. The project is slated to reach full commercial operation in September.

Green Investment Group, Macquarie Capital’s global green investment platform, has announced the acquisition of a significant solar development portfolio from German-headquartered EPC Conergy. The acquisition will see 88 solar experts join the GIG team.

The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) has stumbled, battered and bruised, into today’s coalition party room meeting. It’s hard to imagine it surviving many more rounds in the energy policy boxing ring. While it’s received support from a wide range of businesses and industry bodies engaged with the energy sector, including the Clean Energy Council, a ‘better than nothing’ NEG is looking like a right mess.

The deal gives SunPower $25 million in cash and 7.5 million shares in Enphase. Enphase also gains access to SunPower microinverter IP, and rights to SunPower’s Equinox AC modules line.

The Chinese manufacturer has seen its revenue decline significantly in the second quarter of this year, despite quarterly shipments dropping just 3.1%. This performance, which confirms a trend that was already clear in fiscal year 2017, was mainly due to lower solar module ASPs. Quarterly net profit, however, has more than doubled. Despite recent developments in the Chinese PV market, the company maintains its shipment outlook for full fiscal year 2018, in which it hopes to ship between 11.5 GW and 12 GW.

Yolk Property Group has partnered with Power Ledger to implement blockchain technology at their Evermore development – powered by solar PV and battery storage technology – allowing residents of the 24 apartments to buy and sell solar power amongst themselves, thus ensuring considerable saving on residents’ electricity bills.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has briefed the National Party MPs on its recommendation to prematurely wind down taxpayer-funded incentives for sub-100kW solar systems by 2021.

While the global PV market is set to record its weakest Q3 demand since 2015, the Australian market will finish the year strong across all segments. GTM Research made the finding in its latest Global Demand Monitor, noting that oversupply and falling prices will result in a decline of modules, as a percentage of total utility scale developer cost, from 34% to 28% in Australia this year.

A data center, which will be used for crypto and Bitcoin mining, will be powered by a combination of solar power generated at an adjacent 20 MW solar PV farm and coal-fired generator.

Mixed messages have emerged from today’s COAG Energy Ministers’ meeting today, after what was meant to have been a decisive meeting for the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) policy measure. Fundamental opposition from some Labor states remain, however an agreement to release the draft legislation was reached – after it passes the test of the coalition party room.