Rise of bifacial lifts profits for the world’s tracker companies
Things are hotting up in the tracker world as the desire to squeeze down the price per Watt of solar power intensifies. And the rise of the trackers is attracting some well-known businesses to buy their way into the field.
FTC Solar enters Australian tracker market
The U.S.-based engineering firm has announced its entry into Australia with an office in Brisbane.
Australia’s first solar farm in Antarctica opens at Casey research station
A 30 kW vertical array has powered up at Australia’s Casey research station in Antarctica. The project is one the largest solar installations on the southernmost, ice-covered continent.
Risen breaks ground on 132 MW Merredin Solar Farm
A groundbreaking ceremony took place last Friday at the Chinese PV module maker’s utility-scale PV project in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region.
Tesvolt wins second international award for WA avocado farm project
German battery supplier and integrator Tesvolt has been recognized by the Alliance for Rural Electrification for its battery 48 kWh project at an avocado farm in Pemberton, in WA’s Southwest. The project integrates the lithium ion system with a 160 kWh saltwater battery and 53 kW solar array – allowing the farm to become 100% self sufficient.
Canadian Solar CEO: Energy storage key to sustaining long-term, stable Australian PV market
Canadian Solar has been acquiring utility scale projects and signing module supply and EPC deals at a rapid pace in recent months. For Shawn Qu, Canadian’s Founder and CEO, he would prefer the market to continue at a stable level, rather than boom and bust. And he argues that the dual role of module maker and developer delivers value insights into pricing and technology trades – giving the company an advantage over rivals.
Carnegie Clean Energy gets funding lifeline, solar microgrid subsidiary to be sold or wound down
Following months of uncertainty around its financial position, Carnegie Clean Energy and its fully owned subsidiaries went into voluntary administration last week. In its latest statement to ASX, the renewable energy developer says it has struck a deal with one of its directors to provide funding support while administrators attempt to recapitalize its wave power business.
NSW Coalition commits to support apartments going solar, module and battery recycling
If re-elected on Saturday, the NSW Coalition will change strata laws to reduce the minimum votes needed to install solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging points in strata buildings. The government has also pledged to give $20 million more funding to the Emerging Energy Program and $10 million in funding for a solar panel and battery recycling program.
Half of Australia’s solar and wind farms to trial providing their own short-term generation forecasts
Around $9.4 million has been allocated for 11 projects to trial short-term forecasting for large wind and solar farms under a funding initiative by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in partnership with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The trial aims to improve the accuracy of market outcomes.
Horizon Power launches stage two of Onslo microgrid, Senec supplies batteries
Horizon Power, Western Australia’s regional power provider, has commenced the second stage of its Onslow microgrid project, which will provide local residents and businesses with access to low-cost solar and energy storage systems. German storage provider Senec has been chosen to supply batteries to the project.
