Research reveals impact of laser-assisted firing on TOPCon solar cell performance
A group of researchers from the University of New South Wales and Chinese module manufacturer Jolywood has conducted a comprehensive assessment of how laser-assisted firing processes influence the behaviour of TOPCon cells under the thermal conditions encountered during soldering, lamination, and high-temperature stress.
Government pumps $5 billion into home battery program, issues persist
Over the weekend the federal government announced major changes to its $2.3 billion home battery subsidy program. The changes include nearly $5 billion in extra funding and adjustments to the financial support provided for different-sized batteries. They follow recent reporting that the program is subsidising unnecessarily large home batteries and blowing out in cost.
New tool tracks Australian government renewable energy investments
The agency tasked with helping manage Australia’s move to a net-zero economy has launched an interactive map featuring more than 800 Commonwealth-supported utility scale renewable energy and net-zero projects, transmission lines, and industrial projects.
Akaysha achieves major milestone with big battery now complete
Akaysha Energy, the battery storage platform backed by global funds giant Blackrock, has announced the completion of its first big battery project with the 155 MW / 298 MWh Ulinda Park energy storage system in Queensland now online.
Valent lands state planning approval for Armidale battery project
The New South Wales government has provided planning approval for the proposed $209 million Armidale battery project on the condition that developer Valent Energy invests more than $2.5 million in local community projects.
Sparc achieves production milestone at hydrogen pilot plant
Fortescue-backed startup Sparc Hydrogen has begun producing green hydrogen directly from water using concentrated solar at what it describes as a “first-of-its-kind” pilot plant in South Australia.
Iberdrola achieves connection milestone for Broadsound solar and battery build
The Australian arm of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola Iberdrola is poised to begin early testing of its Broadsound Solar Farm after Queensland transmission network operator Powerlink energised the grid connection to the 377 MWdc facility ahead of schedule.
Metlen flicks switch on 120 MW Queensland solar farm
Another large-scale PV facility is now operating at full capacity in the Queensland grid after Greek industrial and energy company Metlen Energy and Metals officially activated the 120 MW Munna Creek Solar Farm.
Yanara names Gamuda to deliver massive solar and battery project
The Australian arm of Malaysian engineering group Gamuda has been tapped by renewables developer Yanara to deliver a 360 MW solar farm and 600 MWh battery energy storage project in southwest Victoria.
Bowen commits extra $5 billion to home battery subsidy
The Australian government has announced a major expansion of its Cheaper Home Batteries program, raising the funding allocation from the original $2.3 billion to approximately $7.2 billion over the next four years.
