Three hours of free power sounds great – but it could raise other costs and hamstring rooftop solar
It was the news that rippled around the nation – and then the world: at least three hours of free grid-supplied electricity for Australian households, every day.
Japanese utility uses Sharp PV-linked home batteries for grid balancing
Japanese utility Tohoku Electric Power is using Sharp’s residential batteries and AI-powered energy management systems to balance grid demand and optimise household solar energy use. Customers in the program can earn points redeemable for local products.
Key takeaways from All Energy Australia 2025
Despite the ongoing challenge of solar price cannibalization, Australia’s PV marketplace appears set for a period of acceleration. Renewable energy targets, supportive policy, and looming coal closures will require ongoing solar and storage installations – and a large pipeline is taking shape.
New Zealand introduces building consent exemption for rooftop solar
The New Zealand government has brought into force that a building consent is not required to install rooftop solar panels on any building, though conditions apply and installations must comply with the country’s building code.
China expands highway solar as provinces race to decarbonise transport
China is rapidly installing PV along highways, combining slopes, tunnels, and service areas to generate renewable electricity and cut transport-sector emissions.
Rooftop solar waste tsunami could come 10 years early if users chase savings
In a novel study to further solar waste forecasting in Australia, the economic decisions of rooftop solar owners have been shown to fast forward waste and recovery needs 10 years earlier than a system’s warranty.
Batteries now key fixture of Australia’s decarbonisation roadmap
Millions of Australian households with rooftop solar are now rapidly adding batteries to maximise their generation and regain control over escalating power bills. This is energy democracy in action, with batteries becoming a key fixture of Australia’s decarbonisation roadmap.
Researchers present inverter-based dust monitoring method for rooftop solar
Researchers in China have developed a dust monitoring technique that relies solely on the existing hardware resources of inverters, without requiring extra sensors or meteorological data. Tests on existing rooftop PV arrays demonstrated an accuracy exceeding 96%.
Victoria drives business and community group rooftop solar uptake with discounts
The Victorian government will wipe up to $25,000 off upfront installation costs for a 100 kW rooftop solar system, and up to $34,300 off a 200 kW system to reduce cost burden from transmission network upgrades, and lower consumer energy bills.
One quiet change is about to let you export much more solar
Australia has more solar panels per person than anywhere else in the world. One in three houses now has rooftop solar. Our grid operators are working hard to adjust to a new reality where the collective output of rooftop solar is one of our largest sources of power.
