When Snowy 2.0 is in the news, it’s usually about money. The cost of the huge project has gone well beyond the initial $6 billion estimate and will now cost more than $12 billion.

A comprehensive new report from IEA PVPS Task 12 reveals how countries around the world are managing the growing volumes of end-of-life solar modules, implementing regulations and scaling recycling infrastructure to handle the expected increment in PV waste over the coming decades.

Inverters must withstand the high levels of heat generated when operating, otherwise system performance and reliability could be at risk. Cody Schoener of Dow Performance Silicones argues using silicone-based materials for inverters can improve thermal management and fire protection, while offering thermal stability, environmental resistance, electrical isolation and support for operational efficiency.

Australians love rooftop solar power. About 4 million homes have solar panels on their roofs, and we generate more solar energy per person than any other country. But affordability pressures on homeowners are holding them back from installing rooftop solar on millions of homes. Without this, Australia could struggle to meet its goal of generating more than 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030.

The Australian Energy Market Operator estimates data centres will consume 6% of Australia’s grid-supplied electricity by 2030. To put that in context, that’s more than the current share of Australia’s healthcare and social assistance industry. The power-hungry nature of these facilities presents major problems for the energy grid.

A 179 MW solar farm and 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage project planned for the North Island of New Zealand has won approval from an independent panel, with a commercial decision now able to take place if the project remains viable in light of conditions applied to the build and operation.

Another PV power plant has commenced operations in New Zealand with development partners Aquila Clean Energy APAC and Far North Solar Farm officially launching the 20.8 MWp Pukenui Solar Farm in the country’s far north.

Australian clean energy technology recycling solutions company Livium has completed a $4.5 million capital raise to fuel its expansion strategy, including driving battery collection growth and accelerating its solar panel recycling plans.

Utility-scale batteries are rising to the challenge of guaranteeing network reliability as the clean energy transition continues, with Australia having now surpassed the United Kingdom to become the third-largest market for large-scale battery energy storage systems globally, behind China and the United States.

Singapore has conditionally approved a 1 GW hydropower import project from Malaysia’s Sarawak state, with first deliveries expected around 2035.

Aging utility-scale solar projects are driving interest in tracker repowering, while asset owners weigh costs against gains in performance and longevity.

Renewables developer Global Power Generation Australia is seeking federal government approval to develop a 290 MW solar farm and 180 MW / 360 MWh battery energy storage system in Queensland’s Fraser Coast region.

The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Program highlights that 2024 was another record year for solar installations globally but large overcapacities of solar cell, module and wafer manufacturing continued.

Australian researchers are collaborating with organisations in India, Indonesia and the United States to develop a zero-carbon, automated end-of-life solar panel recycling process using robots to recover ultra-pure silicon.

The New South Wales government has granted planning approval to the 500 MWdc / 435 MW solar farm componant of Ark Energy’s Richmond Valley hybrid project, which will be co-located with a 475 MW / 2,200 MWh battery energy storage system.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a prototype car with a silicon-free, 20%-efficient nanoparticle solar coating that powers the vehicle even when off and uses modules thinner than a human hair.

The world’s largest battery-electric ship has reached a new milestone with shipbuilder Incat Tasmania confirming that one of the vessel’s four battery rooms is now receiving electrical charge ahead of sea trials later this year.

A Chinese research group claims to have achieved remarkable efficiency and stability in a solar cell based on a perovskite absorber incorporating MXene, a novel type of 2D material known for its excellent conductivity, chemical stability, and thermal resilience. The device reportedly retained 80% of its initial efficiency after 500 hours.

Researchers from the University of New South Wales are building and validating a prototype of their AI-enabled wireless sensing system that can spot dangerous heat in lithium-ion batteries before it progresses to thermal runaway.

Developers of a series of artificial intelligence factories being built across Australia at a cost of $73.3 billion, say they will be 100% powered by renewable energy and could stimulate 5.1 GW of solar, storage, hydro and wind projects.

China-headquartered PV cell and module manufacturer TW Solar has introduced into the Australian market a “full black” n-type solar panel featuring an output of 470 W and a power conversion efficiency of 23.5%.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new inverters can deliver 160% overload for 200 ms in off-grid mode, ensuring stable startup of heavy loads. The IP66-rated products feature a maximum efficiency of 97.6% and a European efficiency of 97.2%.

Chinese energy technology manufacturer Fox ESS has launched a modular battery system for both residential and commercial applications in Australia that can be scaled from 4.66 kWh capacity up to 41.93 kWh.

With silver prices nearing $75 per ounce, researchers from the University of New South Wales and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems tell pv magazine that efforts to reduce silver use in solar cells will not compromise module quality if properly engineered.

Researchers have developed a stagnant water layer cooling concept and tested it using seawater, tap water, and desalinated water. The panel temperature decreased by up to 8.2 °C, while power output increased by approximately 28%.

Spanish renewable energy giant Iberdrola has acquired the proposed 270 MW / 1,080 MWh Tungkillo battery energy storage project in South Australia from United Kingdom-based clean energy developer RES Australia in a $492 million deal.

Researchers in Canada have proposed using gravity-based energy storage in high-rise buildings, in combination with photovoltaic facades, small wind turbines, and lithium-ion batteries. Their modeling indicated that this hybrid system could achieve a levelized cost of energy ranging from $0.051/kWh to $0.111/kWh.

Australian renewables developer ACEnergy has won approval from the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission for a 250 MW / 1,100 MWh battery energy storage system to be built in the state’s southwest.

Another big battery has joined South Australia’s energy mix with Epic Energy announcing that its 200 MWh Mannum battery energy storage system is now fully operational.

Global clean energy major EDP Renewables plans to accelerate the development of more than 1.7 GW of solar and battery storage in Australia after securing support under the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme.