Oil and gas prices are shooting up as war in the Middle East cuts down the supply of fossil fuels available, in what has been described as “the largest supply disruption in the history of oil markets.” While the effects of the energy crisis are being felt far and wide, it is making the case for renewables clear.

The federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program is being hailed as a clean energy win with almost 280,000 batteries and about 7 MW of capacity installed across Australian since the scheme was launched in mid-2025. While the scheme is delivering results, there are still areas of concern.

The conflict in Iran has triggered global disruptions to energy and liquid fuel markets, including here in Australia. Among the more vulnerable are those in remote and rural diesel-dependent communities where renewables-based microgrids offer an option for reliable and secure energy supply.

Digging into NSW’s generation mix reveals that the supply gap from coal exists remains substantial. Eraring currently contributes more to the state’s mix than grid-scale solar and wind combined during winter (28% vs 20%), while utility-scale batteries remain just 1% of the current supply mix, underscoring how early the firming build-out still is. From an investment standpoint, the scheduled retirement of coal capacity represents one of the strongest structural tailwinds in the Australian energy market.

Australia has rapidly become one of the world’s most attractive destination for hyperscale data centres, ranking within the top 5-10 markets globally by capacity. Several factors explain this rise: large land availability within Renewable Energy Zones, fast-growing renewable penetration surpassing 40% across the National Electricity Market, geopolitical stability, Australia’s status as a trusted Five Eyes jurisdiction, and proximity to Asia-Pacific demand centres.

Another large-scale solar farm has joined Australia’s main electricity market with European Energy confirming that the 108 MW Lancaster Solar Farm in northern Victoria is now up and running.

Sydney-headquartered gentailer AGL has begun commissioning of the first 250 MW of the 1,000 MWh Liddell Battery at the Hunter Energy Hub in New South Wales.

Chinese solar inverter and storage solutions company Sungrow has launched its CEC-approved PowerKeeper Series in Australia for commercial and industrial applications.

The $25 million NSW-federal government Solar for Apartment Residents program is ending 30 March 2026, with almost 140 projects taking advantage of the scheme but less than a third of available funds utilised to date, including for two Sydney apartment building projects in Newtown and Camperdown awarded to local installer, Solarhart.

The draft Solar Sharer Offer reform has been released with the Australian Energy Regulator draft Default Market Offer but consumer energy advocates say broader reforms are needed to accelerate rooftop solar benefits for all.

A random malware variant affected about 800 remote monitoring devices at ground-mounted PV plants in Japan in May 2024. Tokyo-based cybersecurity firm Girasol Energy has told pv magazine what happened and how PV asset owners can protect themselves against such incidents.

China’s 2026 to 2030 policy plan elevates clean electricity as a central driver of economic growth, with greater emphasis on system integration and industrial use.

French renewables developer TE H2 has filed an application with the Australian government seeking approval for a 2.7 GW solar farm and 6 GWh battery energy storage project to be built in the Northern Territory.

New Zealand power company Genesis Energy has broken ground on a 117 MW solar project on the nation’s North Island with the facility expected to start generating power in 2027.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new rooftop solar module offers 455–475 W power, 22.8–23.8% efficiency, 96-cell double-glass design, and IP68 protection.

Scientists from three leading Australian research organisations have developed the first proof-of-concept quantum battery, demonstrating the potential for rapid, scalable charging and energy storage based on principles of ollective effects.

Researchers have developed a smart water-spray cooling system for PV panels that activates only when temperatures exceed a set threshold, boosting efficiency while minimising water use in arid conditions. The system raised power output and reduced module temperatures, offering similar efficiency to continuous cooling but with far lower water consumption, pump operation, and costs.

Researchers from the Australian National University and Longi used photoluminescence imaging to analyse dopant distributions in RCz-grown silicon wafers doped with antimony, phosphorus, and gallium, finding highly uniform radial concentration profiles suitable for high-efficiency solar cells. The study also found that antimony-doped wafers provide more stable axial doping along the ingot, highlighting their potential for next-generation PV manufacturing.

Australian battery and electric vehicle tech company 3ME Technology has teamed with United States-based South 8 Technologies to develop lithium-ion battery solutions utilising liquefied gas electrolyte-enabled cells for extreme cold weather and Arctic applications.

New South Wales-based thermal energy storage system developer MGA Thermal intends to rapidly scale its manufacturing capacity and commercial capability after securing $17 million in new funding.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new back-contact module delivers up to 545 W and over 25% efficiency in a compact rooftop format for residential, C&I, and off-grid applications.

The Chinese manufacturer has launched a fire-resistant version of its Hi-MO X10 module for distributed PV applications, featuring back-contact technology and up to 24.8% efficiency. The company says the module adds enhanced fire-safety design to address rooftop PV risks such as hot spots and DC arcing.

In an interview with pv magazine, Empa scientist Mirjana Dimitrievska explains that the CIGS photovoltaic technology, while promising for efficiency and flexible applications, faces persistent challenges in scaling lab-level performance to cost-effective, high-throughput industrial production, limiting its ability to compete with crystalline silicon. She also emphasizes that long-term stability, reliability, and material sustainability, rather than peak efficiency, are crucial for commercial viability, especially in niche markets like building-integrated and lightweight PV.

Plans to build Australia’s first large-scale silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Queensland have been put on the fast track by the federal government in a nod to the project’s potential to play a key role in supporting a domestic solar supply chain.

The new product has a maximum wattage of 725 W, a maximum current of 22 A, and a maximum efficiency of 99.6%.

Japanese clean energy infrastructure solutions company GBP K.K. has announced the launch of a mesh security fencing solution for grid-scale solar developments and acoustic panel fencing for utility battery storage sites for developments close to residential areas.

Vena Energy has secured a $200 million long-term revenue agreement that it says will bring the second stage of its 408 MW Bellambi Heights battery energy storage system being built in central-western New South Wales online later this year.

Just days after launching construction of its Blind Creek solar and battery project in southern New South Wales, developer Octopus Australia has inked an offtake agreement with renewable energy retailer Flow Power.

Queensland’s large battery projects approval mechanisms are under scrutiny after Trina Solar withdrew its 200 MW / 800 MWh Pleystowe battery project, while state ministers stepped into two other contested projects proposed by Potentia Energy and Iberdrola.

Australia’s battery materials recovery sector could contribute $6.9 billion to the national economy by 2050 as end-of-life lithium ion batteries surge from electric vehicles and energy storage, according to a new national industry profile.