Australia

January normally sees a spike in the average wholesale electricity price. This year, however, increased solar PV and wind generation have seen this traditional trend bucked.

The first round of funding for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s Future Fuels Fund is now open to applicants. The first round will look to expand the fast charging network for battery electric vehicles in Australia’s major population centres in an effort to encourage the individual and fleet transition to electric vehicles.

With 7,600 residents and many more travellers recharging at its holiday properties each year, Ingenia Communities Group is set to lead the retirement and affordable-travel-accommodation sectors towards solar uptake following a major investment by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

BHP has started the year by signing a PPA that will halve emissions at its Nickel West Kwinana refinery and double its green cred as a supplier to environmentally conscious lithium-ion battery manufacturers.

The ducks are lining up for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone to break ground in 2023. With money in the bank, TransGrid today begins community consultation on the proposed transmission corridor to support this efficient approach to renewable energy development.

South Australia is leading the nation in terms of renewable energy penetration, with rooftop solar a major contributor. But the state’s hard-won ability to deactivate thousands of rooftop solar systems in response to grid voltage disturbances has caused significant disruptions to solar installers. With a deeper look inside the changes, it appears to be a good thing for solar in the state, as well as other markets in which distributed PV is growing rapidly.

The coupling of solar PV energy facilities with water treatment plants continues to grow in popularity with two Queensland councils taking the plunge this week, announcing plans to commence construction on behind-the-metre solar farms.

With the Victorian Government determined to make Victoria a renewable energy leader, one of the smallest local government areas (LGA) in the state is doing its bit to make a big impression with small-scale solar PV uptake, giving free rooftop solar systems to community organisations as part of the Yarra Solar Program.

Geelong oil refinery owner Viva Energy remains on track to become a producer of green hydrogen using solar energy after signing a landmark deal with US-headquartered hydrogen vehicle company Hyzon Motors to work together to provide zero-emission vehicles coupled with hydrogen refuelling solutions in Australia.

Debt financing services from Bank of China, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and Westpac, have brought the first 400 MW stage of the New England Solar Farm to financial close, a massive milestone for massive hybrid project.