New transmission towers are crucial for renewables – but contentious. Here’s where they should go
Solar and wind now provide 99% of new generating capacity in Australia. Renewables supply more than 40% of power to the main grid. Australia will need six times as much solar and wind to reach net zero through the electrification of everything. This means building new transmission corridors, as existing lines were built to connect cities with coal power stations. But the best solar and wind resources lie in different places.
UNSW team sets efficiency record for emerging solar cell material
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have achieved a record-setting power conversion efficiency with solar cells made from antimony chalcogenide, an emerging PV material regarded as a strong candidate for next-generation solar technology.
Smart Commercial to roll out prefabricated vertical rooftop PV system
Smart Commercial Energy has unveiled a new prefabricated vertical rooftop solar system for the Australian market as part of a collaboration with Norwegian clean energy company Over Easy Solar.
Balancing Australia’s renewable generation: Role of data amid solar switch-off mechanisms
Australia has led the charge in solar energy, setting the standard for solar panel adoption worldwide. The Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2024 report published by the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme shows that more than 30% of Australia’s households are fitted with rooftop solar PV units, harnessing the sun’s power to meet their energy needs.
1414 Degrees scores key battery approval as part of thermal energy storage hopes
The working theory for a new energy precinct in South Australia: first come batteries, then comes novel long-duration thermal energy storage.
Small-scale battery uptake exceeds 4.7 GWh capacity in six months
Australian households, small businesses and community organisations have installed a record-setting 200,000 battery energy storage systems since the launch of the federal rebate in July with the $7.2 billion initiative now expected to deliver more than 2 million home batteries by 2030.
National recycling pilot to address solar panel waste issues
The Australian government will pump almost $25 million into a national solar panel recycling program in a bid to reduce landfill and recover valuable metals and minerals that can support the renewable energy transition.
Study shows some POE encapsulants pose threat to TOPCon solar modules
University of New South Wales researchers found that some POE encapsulants can trigger severe corrosion in TOPCon solar modules, causing up to 55% power loss under damp-heat conditions. Their study highlights that module reliability depends on the exact encapsulant formulation, not just the polymer type.
World’s biggest battery-electric ship begins harbour trials
Incat Tasmania has started harbour trials of the largest battery-electric ship constructed to date with the 130-metre vessel moving under its own battery-electric propulsion for the first time.
Fortescue wins federal approval for 644 MW solar farm
Fortescue’s plans to build one of Australia’s largest solar farms have cleared another regulatory hurdle with the federal government’s environmental watchdog providing the tick of approval for the 644 MW project planned for Western Australia.
