Vast Solar seeks funding for 50 MW CSP, PV hybrid
The Sydney-based developer is seeking $75 million to help finance a 50 MW hybrid project, following a successful 1 MW pilot. Vast Solar is looking to deploy its innovative CSP technology, which uses sodium as a heat transfer fluid to capture concentrated solar energy that can then be stored and used on demand, on the utility-scale.
Snowy 2.0, new Tasmanian connector to deliver fresh opportunities for solar
The federal government’s decision to back the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project to the tune of $1.38 billion and the Marinus Link connector to Tasmania with $56 million sets the stage for solar to continue its strong growth in Australia. Analysis shows that additional energy storage capacity makes financial sense in the light of early coal retirements – and create a market for surging daytime solar generation.
Kyocera uses blockchain to test virtual power plant based on solar and storage
The module maker and electronics giant is testing the feasibility of a complex virtual power plant with a blockchain platform provided by US-based LO3 Energy.
Low, middle income households install solar more than wealthy
New myth-busting analysis has revealed that rooftop solar is not so much in vogue among the wealthy, but is more popular among poorer households. Cost-saving benefits are, however, being blunted by high fixed charges, while energy retailers are profiteering from households with solar PV, states the report from the Victoria Energy Policy Climate.
Big solar urged to develop a hub mentality
Today’s Informa Commercial & Large Scale Solar Conference, held in Sydney, revelled in skyward-shooting graphs of projected solar farm outputs and commercial rooftop prospects. But there were recommendations also for greater integration and collaboration between industry participants, and a call to “hub” together.
Morrison to announce $2 billion over 10 years for climate fund
Scott Morrison will announce $A2 billion over a decade for a Climate Solutions Fund, as the government seeks to counter criticisms that it is not doing enough towards dealing with climate change.
Southeast Asia’s solar energy “Cubed”
Rystad Energy, an independent research and business-intelligence company serving energy investors, has launched the Southeast Asian hub of its RenewableCube data-analysis product. At an exclusive gathering in a Barangaroo tower suite last Friday, Minh Khoi Le, Research Analyst for APAC Renewables outlined the solar prospects for the region with Vietnam at its irradiant centre.
Long read: Reflections on a soiled module
Having quickly proven their performance boosting potential and durability, anti-reflective coatings are now found on the majority of modules rolling off the world’s production lines. Today, coating suppliers are looking to tackle losses from soiling as well as reflection, and working to keep up with cost reductions and extended lifetime expectations at module level. Older modules, installed without a coating, could also be set to benefit from their latest innovations.
Carnegie commissions Garden Island microgrid project
WA-based renewable energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy has completed commissioning of a microgrid project, featuring 2 MW solar PV and 2 MW/0.5 MWh battery, at a naval base in Western Australia.
Australian scientists use hydrogen atoms to boost solar cell efficiency
Researchers want to better understand how hydrogen atoms may improve the performance of phosphorus-doped multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) films for passivating contact solar cells.
