Milestones passed on the road to an Australian Performance Standard for Battery Testing
The Australian Battery Performance Standard Project (ABPS) was launched in June of 2018 and has now advanced into its second and last stage after completing an intensive period of analysis and calibration. Along with the recently completed ITP Renewables testing, Australia will soon have comprehensive standards across the board. The ratification of performance standards would solidify Australia’s place as a front-runner in the global battery storage industry.
Risen Energy’s Yarranlea Solar Farm nearing completion
Chinese PV module maker Risen Energy has announced that it is advancing rapidly towards the completion of its 121 MW Yarranlea Solar Farm in Queensland, with construction scheduled to conclude as early as October 2019.
First tenders awarded in $5 million Rooftop Solar Schools program
As part of its plans to transition to 50% renewable energy by 2030, the Northern Territory government is moving forward with its solar schools program with tenders awarded for installation at five schools.
Researchers develop method to synthesize graphene from eucalyptus bark
A team of Australian and Indian researchers has developed a method to synthesize soluble graphene in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way from one of Australia’s most abundant resources, gum trees.
Solar Cutters build a community to slash poor quality PV installations, components
Poor quality installations and components plagued the state-based FIT era of Australian solar. Unscrupulous ‘phoenix’ retailers remain a problem today. Solar Cutters directors, founders and good friends, Kosta Bourandanis and Jack Long decided to take the problem into their own hands, in a pretty unique way.
Big-guns join forces to form Warada, aim to boost early-stage renewable investment
Two of Australia’s leading renewable investment and advisory firms, the Clean Energy Finance Corp (CEFC) and Ironstone Capital, have combined to form Warada, an integrated development and fund management company set to invest in early stage greenfield projects across the whole industry of renewable energy.
Adelaide announces incentives for shared solar, V2G, demand response
The City of Adelaide is going big on technology for low-carbon living. It has announced a new round of incentives for solar, bidirectional EV charging infrastructure, energy storage and controlled load under its Sustainability Incentives Scheme.
Queensland government to convene urgent solar industry roundtable
After a Court of Appeal dismissed the government’s application to enforce regulation requiring licensed electrical workers to mount and fix unplugged solar panels, the Queensland government has called for an urgent industry roundtable to discuss safety in large-scale solar farms.
Details emerge on audits planned for VIC Solar Homes program
After encountering some problems in the first round of the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes program, round twois set to be backed up by more stringent auditing program. Exactly what this entails is becoming more clear.
The NSW Government’s Empowering Homes program set for summer go-ahead
The new NSW Berejiklian Governmenthas followed through on the pre-election promisefor interest-free loans for battery and solar-battery systems, with installations expected to begin this summer 2019/2020.
