France’s decision to delay nuclear phaseout by a decade jeopardizes PV plans
The French government has devised three possible scenarios for the planned phasing out of part of its nuclear power generation assets. Even under the most optimistic scenario, the target to reduce the share of nuclear power from around 75% to 50% by 2025, which had been set by the previous government, will only be reached in 2035. The most pessimistic scenario envisages the construction of four new nuclear reactors by 2040.
Labor “clean energy powerhouse” plan welcomed by RE sector
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten unveiled the party’s ‘all of the above’ plan for Australia’s energy sector, which it will take to the 2019 election. A ramped-up NEG, project auctions under a CfD structure, grid infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and a boost to battery storage all feature and were welcomed by the clean energy sector.
Eguana Technologies approved for SA Home Battery Scheme
The Canadian battery manufacturer has been approved as the third battery storage provider for the South Australian Home Battery Scheme. Eguana plans to set up a manufacturing facility in Adelaide, creating up to 200 new jobs over the next three years.
Video: time is of the essence for PV project quality
With the Australian solar market booming across all three market segments, the first pv magazine Quality Roundtable at All Energy Australia discussed how time constraints for installers is threatening quality in the rooftop sectors. And for the utility scale, a more sophisticated approach to modelling project output can hasten grid connection and AEMO acceptance.
Solar, wind cheapest source of new generation in major economies – BNEF
Solar and/or wind are said to be the cheapest source of new energy generation in all major economies, apart from Japan, finds BloombergNEF. It adds that China’s utility-scale PV market has contracted by over a third this year; and that battery costs are set to drop a further 66% by 2030, driven by EV adoption.
Superior warranty, reduced impact of shading key to SunPower’s Limondale selection
SunPower has reported that the enhanced power density and 25-year warranty for its shingled P-Series modules was a key factor behind its selection by Belectric as the module supplier to the 349 MW Limondale utility scale solar project. Chris O’Brien, SunPower’s Australian Managing Director reports “strong bookings” for the new module concept.
Queensland kick-starts battery grant and loan scheme
Under the scheme, the state government will offer a combination of grants and interest-free loans for solar and battery storage systems to help 1500 Queensland households and small businesses save money off their energy bills.
AEMO well-prepared for summer, renewables to help manage peak periods
As 2.1 GW of new capacity – mostly wind, solar and storage – has come online in the previous year, AEMO has sourced much less additional reserves than last year to manage potential high risk scenarios that typically occur in summer. Over the next two years, the market operator expects 6 GW of new wind and solar capacity to be connected to the grid, which will alleviate the short-term risk of involuntary load shedding during summer peak periods.
Australia’s largest battery retrofitted to solar farm powers up in Gannawarra
The 25 MW / 50 MWh Tesla battery collocated with the 60 MW Gannawarra Solar Farm has been officially commissioned, as the second of the two grid-scale batteries that will provide support to the Victorian grid by the start of this summer. The Gannawarra project is Australia’s largest integrated solar and battery facility.
Swiss investment manager closes first Australian solar project
SUSI Partners AG has fully acquired and provided financing to construct a 34 MW solar PV plant with storage optionality located in Middlemount, Queensland. The investment firm says it views the Australian market as highly attractive, despite policy uncertainty.
