New South Wales

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Adelaide-based laser supplier Lastek are developing equipment and procedures to accurately measure the performance of multi-junction solar cells with the help of an LED-based solar simulator.

The solar households which choose to participate in the trial will receive direct cash payments of up to $135 per year, depending on the size of their battery system.

With solar panels already installed on dozens of its buildings, the City of Sydney has upped the ante with the goal to source 100% of its electricity needs from solar PV and wind. The commitment has been endorsed by Council this week, and a new 100% renewable electricity contract will be negotiated in the coming months.

One of the Gold Coast’s most iconic pieces of infrastructure, the Sand Bypass System, will soon welcome a 100 kW solar array as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing operational costs.

If re-elected on Saturday, the NSW Coalition will change strata laws to reduce the minimum votes needed to install solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging points in strata buildings. The government has also pledged to give $20 million more funding to the Emerging Energy Program and $10 million in funding for a solar panel and battery recycling program.

The Independent Planning Commission has approved a hotly contested $200 million solar farm near Gunnedah in New South Wales, under some added conditions.

The Sydney-based publicly listed renewables developer has completed the acquisition of the 50 MW Jemalong solar PV project in New South Wales. It has also commenced refinancing of a 50 MW solar projects that forms part of its landmark Kidston renewable energy hub, Australia’s first large-scale project to use pumped hydro to store solar generated power.

The U.S.-based tracker manufacturer has been chosen to supply its DuraTrack HZ v3 solar trackers to one of Australia’s largest PV projects – the 333 MW DC (275 MW AC) solar farm at Darlington Point, NSW.

U.S.-based hedge fund Magnetar Capital, a 25% investor in a Lyon subsidiary, is seeking to wind up the group’s solar and storage unit, in a case before the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Lyon is looking for ways to buy out Magnetar’s share.

Maoneng Australia, John Laing and Decmil have hosted a sod-turning ceremony on-site in Balranald, NSW. The developer has confirmed the solar farm will be co-located with a large-scale grid connected battery, and stated its plans for an additional 500 MW of solar and energy storage to be added in line with the proposed SA-NSW interconnector.