“Eyes now of NSW” as states move on solar, storage
With the latest Green Energy Markets’ figures revealing that Victoria’s large scale renewables boom is creating 6000 jobs, pressure in mounting on New South Wales to support solar and wind. With a state election looming, the state government may move.
Solar Panel Validation initiative rolls out
Developed in partnership between the Clean Energy Regulator and the solar industry, the initiative is looking to ensure genuine solar panels are mounted across Australia, against the backdrop of booming rooftop installation rates and mounting pressure on installers. Michelle Crosbie, Managing Director, Clean Energy Regulator, will be at pv magazine’s Quality Roundtable at the All Energy Australia show tomorrow in Melbourne to deliver further details on the scheme.
Elon Musk to step down as Tesla chair
Under the terms of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Musk will be ineligible to serve as chair for three years. The deal also involves a $40 million penalty and structural changes at Tesla.
The least wrong – rapid change in the energy station difficult to predict
While much has been made of the ‘trilemma’ facing the Australia electricity network, Ray Wills from Future Smart Strategies argues that rapid change of energy technology, business models and social changes is resulting in rapid and difficult-to-predict changes.
EU PVSEC: “Multicrystalline silicon will not die”
At first glance, the European PV conference last week has confirmed the widespread view that the upswing of monocrystalline technology will accelerate. But a closer look reveals that multicrystalline solar cells are still in the game.
Carnegie reports CEO’s resignation, IBA raises stake in Northam farm
WA-based renewable energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy has announced the departure of its long-serving managing director Michael Ottaviano and reveled major updates on its projects, including the 10 MW Northam Solar Farm and its solar/battery microgrid projects.
Charles Sturt University adds 2.5 MW of rooftop solar
NSW’s Charles Sturt University has begun its next major solar power installation project, which will see over 2.5 MW of rooftop solar deployed across its campuses. The installation adds to its existing landmark 1.77 MW array.
SMA to launch Sunny Tripower inverter in Australia
Despite lowering its 2018 sales and earning guidance, the German solar PV inverter manufacturer is moving forward with solutions, and is now looking to introduce a new three-phase string inverter to the Australian market. SMA says Australia has become one of its key PV markets.
AGL indicates no strategic shift despite CEO change
Despite the change in its leadership, AGL Energy has restated its commitment to moving away from coal, describing it as a decision driven by economics and safety, rather than ideology.
Dodgy solar systems could lead to “political intervention to curb uptake”
Rooftop solar is popular in the Australian community. But it may not always be the case. If solar and, in particular, battery storage systems are sold with inflated claims, or are non-code compliant, public support could be undermined – delivering momentum to politicians keen to scrap the SRES. An important message from BayWa r.e. Solar Solutions Managing Director Durmus Yildiz.
