Poll: 70% of Australians support a RET
Australians continue to see fostering solar PV, wind and other renewables as the leading environmental issue. And that a national renewable energy target is the best policy mechanism to do it.
Cancer claims UNSW solar pioneer Stuart Wenham
The modern PV industry has lost one its pioneering researchers. The University of New South Wales’ Stuart Wenham died on Saturday December 23, after having being diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in September. He was 61 years old.
2017: the year the states stepped up for solar, storage
Looking back on an unprecedented year for Australia’s renewables sector, when it was never far from mainstream headlines, 2017 may very well be the watershed year for the industry. And it is the states, rather than the federal government, which have taken the lead.
SA Water to install 100 kW floating array, announces $10 million solar, storage tender
South Australia’s water utility will install a trial floating PV array on its Happy Valley Reservoir. The 100 kW system will be installed in 2018 and is a part of the utility’s plans, announced today, to reduce its net electricity costs to zero by 2020.
AMP Capital provides Neoen €245 million for French, Australian renewable projects
The French independent power producer will use the funds for the development of 1.6 GW of wind and solar in France and Australia.
Victorian reverse auction community engagement criteria asks developers to go extra mile
The Victorian Renewable Energy Auction Scheme (VREAS) makes community engagement an eligibility and evaluation criteria for funding, with a benefit-sharing program a first in State Government regulation of renewable energy projects.
Australian Greens call for RET expansion as AEMC finds wholesale price increases will be “reversed” by renewables
The Australian Greens are continuing their advocacy for a RET extension and expansion beyond 2020, on the back of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) finding that renewables are driving down electricity prices. In its latest report on electricity prices, AEMC has found that much of 2017’s 11% residential price increases will be “reversed” as around 4 GW of renewables come online – driven by the RET.
Australia Post installs 2.1 MW at Sydney parcel facility
In what it claims is Australia’s largest single rootop PV array, Australia Post has added 2.1 MW of PV to its Sydney Parcel Facility in Chullora.
CEFC hits 1 GW milestone, provides $207 million debt finance to Wirsol projects
After agreeing to provide debt finance to two Wirsol projects with a combined capacity of 200 MW, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has achieved the milestone of having funded 1 GW of large scale solar projects. The two loans to Wirsol allow construction of the projects to get underway before PPAs have been signed.
Maoneng signs PPA for 300 MW in New South Wales
Chinese/Australian developer Maoneng has signed a 15-year PPA to provide energy company AGL with 300 MW of PV projects, to provide up to 800,000 MWh of electricity per year. The projects form part of AGL’s plan to replace the coal-fired Liddell Power Station, set to close in 2022.
