Maoneng signs PPA for 300 MW in New South Wales
Chinese/Australian developer Maoneng has signed a 15-year PPA to provide energy company AGL with 300 MW of PV projects, to provide up to 800,000 MWh of electricity per year. The projects form part of AGL’s plan to replace the coal-fired Liddell Power Station, set to close in 2022.
ARENA awards $29.2 million to 20 solar R&D projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced that it will award multiple Australian universities and research institutes with a total of $29.2 million to support early-stage research into new solar innovations.
Construction begins on Australia’s first hybrid solar+wind+storage plant in Queensland
Ground was broken on the 60 MW project in a ceremony held on Monday. Developer Windlab limited says it expects the $160 million project to be completed in late 2018.
Melbourne Energy Hack winners develop marketplace to open underutilised rooftops to PV
‘Solar Air-BnB’ model emerges from 2017 Melbourne Energy Hack. Consumers that do not have access to rooftop for a PV installation can be connected to roofs that are currently free of PV in the innovative solution.
Winaico to launch HJT modules in Australian market
Taiwanese module maker Winaico is set to launch its heterojunction (HJT) PV modules in Q2 2018. The high powered PV panels feature a favourable temperature co-efficient, offering a high powered module for high temperature rooftop applications.
Equis Energy snapped up by GIP in record $5bn renewables deal
The Singapore-based renewable energy developer has agreed to be sold to investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners. China Investment Corp, Canada’s PSP Investments and other co-investors are also involved in the deal, which is the largest yet seen for the renewable energy industry.
UNSW Scientist receives award for work on solar cell efficiency
Dr. Brett Hallam of the University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy engineering has been awarded a prestigious State Premier’s Prize for Science and Engineering.
Queensland to offer no-interest loans for solar systems
As part of the $2 billion affordable energy plan, the Queensland Government has announced it will invest $40 million in schemes to improve access to both solar energy and storage systems.
RES reaches financial close on 68 MW PV plant in Queensland
RES Australia has announced financial close on the Emerald Solar Park, a 68 MW PV project to be located in the Central Highlands region of Queensland. The project is the first in Australia to be supported by a PPA with a corporate off-taker.
LONGi claims 22.71% PERC efficiency world record
Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE CalLab has confirmed that China’s Longi Green Energy Technology has achieved a record 22.71% conversion efficiency with its monocrystalline passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar cells.
