Hyundai Heavy Industries returns to Australian solar market
On the back of a $70 million distribution agreement, Hyundai Heavy Industries Green Energy is re-entering Australia’s solar market, eyeing a strong pipeline of opportunities.
Long read: UNSW’s Martin Green sets out solar’s accelerating technological development
Martin Green and his UNSW collaborators have driven a wide range of innovations within the Chinese and global PV manufacturing sector. Green, a Scientia Professor at UNSW and the Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics shares his take on PV technology in 2018.
Landis+Gyr and PEP buy smart meter business from Origin Energy
The newly founded joint venture raised $500 million in capital investments realize a large scale smart meter roll out in Australia. Origin Energy previously contracted Acumen for this sector. The Acumen brand will be retained and managed together with intelliHUB
Risen breaks ground on ‘merchant’ 121 MW Yarranlea project
Chinese PV module maker Risen Energy has begun construction on the 121 MW Yarranlea project in Queensland. The company intends to have complete control of the project, from module supply, through to EPC, ownership and operation.
Sonnen secures €60 million investment from Shell Ventures
Germany-based PV-storage provider sonnen has closed a new funding round from a group of investors led by Shell Ventures. Sonnen has already began to draw on the funds as it continues to expand market shares in the U.S. and in Australia. Shell Ventures is now a major sonnen investor and future cooperation agreement has been agreed to.
Extension of P2P green loans program after successful first 12 months
Continuing demand and a good first year means that the CEFC and RateSetter have agreed an extension to the green loans agreement, with over 150 new installations every month.
Interview: “We played a huge role in large scale solar becoming commercially viable”
The booming large scale and rooftop PV market in 2018 is providing many reasons to be optimistic about the future of solar under the Australian sun. In reflecting on his six-year tenure as CEO at ARENA, ahead of his departure in August, Ivor Frischknecht points to the role the agency has placed in bringing down the costs of large scale solar in Australia as ARENA’s greatest achievement.
Sungrow announces residential storage market entry in Australia
Sungrow is best known for its PV inverter range – which covers the residential, C&I and power plant market segments. The Chinese inverter maker has hopes to see it gain increased traction in Australia by broadening its product portfolio in the country.
ARENA provides funding to seed ‘solar gardens’ for apartment dwellers, renters
Community solar arrays or ‘solar gardens’ for people who can’t install a residential rooftop PV system could become a reality in Australia, with ARENA pouring in funds to fertilize the concept.
Kokam steps forward as supplier of batteries for Alinta’s 30 MW gas/battery hybrid
Korean battery manufacturer Kokam has stepped forward as the supplier of the 30 MW/11.4 MWh electricity energy storage system installed at Alinta Energy’s Newman Power Station in North West WA. The producer says its Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Oxide delivers advantages in high power utility and industrial applications.
