Australia poised for record large-scale PV rollout in 2020
Australia’s utility-scale renewable energy sector is set for a record year with 3.6 GW of projects expected to complete commissioning in 2020, Rystad Energy finds. This comprises 1.96 GW in utility PV projects and 1.57 GW in wind developments, with the remaining 0.1 GW coming from batteries.
Investment in Australian renewables sank in 2019
Investment in Australian renewable energy capacity fell 40% in 2019 down from record-breaking levels seen in the year before, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). Spending on large-scale renewables dropped dramatically due to network woes and long-term policy uncertainty but was ameliorated by the rooftop solar segment’s record growth.
New government office to develop large-scale critical minerals industry
The Australian government has opened the Critical Minerals Facilitation Office as it looks to develop a large-scale critical mineral industry to stably supply the world the critical minerals needed for batteries, solar panels, and smartphones.
A clean energy world would support millions of new jobs
A study from Finland’s Lappeenranta University of Technology has predicted solar and other renewables can provide a global energy jobs revolution – just as four European operations revealed recent struggles.
Longi claims 22.38% efficiency world record for PERC mono panel
The Chinese manufacturer said the result was confirmed by Germany’s TÜV Rheinland. The achievement beats the company’s previous record of 21.65%, set last month.
All-inorganic perovskite solar cell hits 16.1% efficiency
Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong have developed an all-inorganic perovskite cell with an electron-pair donor which offers a pair of non-bonding electrons. The cell was developed by applying that ‘Lewis base’ small molecule to passivate the inorganic perovskite film.
Jinko claims two more efficiency records for bifacial panels
The Chinese manufacturer has achieved conversion efficiencies of 21.82% and 22.49% for its p-type PERC and n-type HOT bifacial panels, respectively. The results were confirmed by Germany’s TÜV Rheinland.
Horizon Power looks at green hydrogen for WA coastal town of Denham
The small tourist town of Denham in Western Australia’s Shark Bay World Heritage Area could host a renewable hydrogen demonstration project as part of a new energy solution planned for the town.
MPower breaks ground on two solar farms in South Australia
Renewables developer MPower has commenced work on two 5 MW solar farms in South Australia expanding its portfolio of smaller utility-scale projects.
Solar energy at the heart of solution to global water scarcity
Researchers at the University of Newcastle have developed a solar-powered atmospheric water generator, a clean and economical solution to the worsening perennial problem of global water scarcity.
