NSW home to 15 of top 20 performing solar farms in March
Solar farms in New South Wales led the way for Australia’s utility scale PV energy output in a record-breaking month of March, generating 670 GWh of clean energy to drive all Australian large-scale PV and wind generation up 17% on the same time last year.
Renewable energy projects to enjoy faster approval in Victoria
Premier Jacinta Allan today announced that the Victorian government will accelerate planning approvals for renewable energy projects. The move is meant to ensure that projects that bring energy prices down can come online with greater speed.
CEC finds utility scale financial commitments fall short of target in 2023
A new Clean Energy Council report finds large-scale solar commissioning up but financial commitments below what is needed for the 6 GW annual generation required under Australia’s 82% renewables-by-2030 target.
CEC calls for federal residential battery subsidy
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has called for the federal government to introduce a subsidy program to support residential battery uptake. The CEC says a so-called Home Battery Saver Program would be “the missing piece of the [policy] puzzle.”
New body appointed to oversee solar installer accreditation scheme
The Clean Energy Regulator has announced that the newly launched Solar Accreditation Australia is the new accreditation scheme operator for the nation’s solar workforce – more than 9,000 installers and designers.
Renewed push on agrivoltaics could help resolve conflict in rural communities
With opposition to large-scale renewables transmission projects being expressed in some rural and regional communities, solar’s ability to be coupled with agriculture could present opportunities for collaboration rather than conflict.
Renewable energy industry guide for engagement with First Nations communities released
A collaboration between the Clean Energy Council, KPMG and the First Nations Clean Energy Network has produced Australia’s first national guide on meaningful engagement and benefit sharing with the country’s oldest custodians on renewable energy.
Queensland government to legislate 75% emissions reduction target
The Miles government in Queensland introduced legislation to state parliament today to formalize its emissions reduction target. The move takes the form of the Clean Economy Jobs Bill, which the state’s energy minister says will help create 100,000 new jobs.
‘Worst’ year for investment in Australia’s large-scale segment, report finds
Investment in Australia’s renewable energy sector is more than 10 times lower than where it should be to reach 2030 targets, according to the Clean Energy Council calculations. Australia’s “sluggish” large-scale segment is the result of a confluence of issues, and illustrates the urgent need for the federal government’s newly supercharged Capacity Investment Scheme.
Solar installers, designers, have 3 months to move to new accreditation scheme after CEC stripped of role
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has selected a new body to take over the role of accrediting solar installers and designers, a position previously held by the Clean Energy Council. The new organisation will be formally announced in February, 2024, with solar installers given three months to transition to the new scheme at no extra fee.
