The Victorian state government has revealed plans to set a renewable energy target of 40 per cent by 2025, making it the latest state in Australia to introduce a large-scale […]
Commercial Solar PV Price Index: June 2016
Average commercial solar system prices have remained virtually unchanged for the past six months, according to data from Solar Choice’s installer network database, sitting at around $1.33 per watt of […]
Residential Solar PV Price Index – June 2016
Average solar PV system installation prices in Australia’s capital cities increased very slightly between May and June to approach $1.68 per watt. With the exception of 10kW systems, prices were […]
NSW government to support up to 8 solar farms
The NSW government has moved to boost the prospects of eight large-scale solar projects proposed for the state, by effectively guaranteeing the purchase of a significant proportion of their output. […]
1 out of every 12 panels in Australia is a Trina panel (Q&A with Trina Solar)
Trina Solar is the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels, and one of the biggest players in the Australian market. The company prides itself on its record for success and […]
Solar and wind costs to plummet further over next decade: BNEF
Solar and wind energy costs will continue their stunning falls over the next decade, and by 2027 will be cheaper than existing coal and gas plants in most parts of […]
One third of Aussies would invest in battery storage even with 5+ year payback: Report
A new report from The Australia Institute has found that one in four Australians would consider investing in solar and battery storage as a means to quit the electricity grid. […]
Adelaide Sustainable City Incentive off to strong start
Adelaide City Council says the response to its expanded low-carbon technology incentive scheme has got off to a strong start, with 1MW of solar PV installed since July 2015. The […]
‘Baseload’ will be an irrelevant term in the future renewable energy grid
A new report from WWF Australia has questioned the concept of “baseload” energy, arguing that this model of power generation will be made redundant by a 100 per cent renewable […]
NSW transmission network to install 1MW battery banks for commercial customers
NSW-based Transgrid has revealed plans to install a number of 1MW-sized battery storage systems at commercial customers, in a major push into smaller, grid-scale energy storage. Transgrid’s Anthony England said […]
NSW IPART suggests slightly higher solar feed-in tariff rates for 2016-17 (and we all laugh)
The Independent Regulatory & Pricing Tribunal (IPART) has issued its final determination with regard to solar feed-in rates for the 2016-2017 financial year, suggesting a slight increase over last year’s thanks […]
Storage & community energy eyed as possible solutions to projected electricity demand growth in Mandurah, WA
WA network operator Western Power says it is seeking non-network solutions, that could include solar and storage and community energy, to try to avoid spending $30 million in a high-growth […]
On grid or off-grid? Some advice for a Solar Choice customer
We were recently in touch with a customer who was deliberating between whether to have his new-build home connected to the grid, or to go off-grid with a solar-plus-storage system. […]
Are you voting for solar this election? Check the Solar Scorecard
Solar advocacy group Solar Citizens have launched their Solar Scorecard tool for the 2016 election. The Solar Scorecard allows anyone to find out how the candidates in their local electorate […]
How to get the most out of your solar PV system part 2: What’s your electricity usage pattern?
For anyone who has a solar PV system for your home/business or is thinking about getting one, understanding electricity usage patterns throughout the day is integral for guaranteeing a good return […]
JinkoSolar lays claim to title of world’s largest solar panel manufacturer
JinkoSolar has become the world’s top solar module maker, after posting record shipments in the first quarter of 2016. The 10-year-old Chinese company announced total shipments of 1,600MW in the […]
Australian Energy Storage Conference & Exhibition 2016 roundup
The Australian Energy Storage Conference & Exhibition 2016 was held in the Australian Technology Park in Sydney last week. In addition to being a networking and knowledge-sharing opportunity, the event […]
Aussie solar scientists call on major parties to keep ARENA
Australian solar scientists have called on both major political parties to rethink their policy on cutting funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, saying the move could “unintentionally kill” solar […]
Global renewable energy growth hits new record
The global renewable energy industry had a record-breaking year in 2015, according to the REN21 2016 Renewables Global Status Report, with 147GW of renewable generating capacity added worldwide – the […]
‘Green schemes’ only a small part of electricity price increases, report confirms
A Clean Energy Council report has highlighted how little renewable energy policies and other “green schemes” have contributed to Australia’s rising electricity prices, in comparison to other factors like […]
Half of Aussie electricity demand will be met by small-scale solar & batteries: BNEF
Australia’s rooftop solar homes and businesses will not just be generating up to half of the country’s electricity needs in the future, but could play a key role in meeting […]
SA’s Coober Pedy to shift from diesel to renewables in Hydro Tas project
Hydro Tasmania has revealed that technologies the utility developed for the King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project will be used to help transform the remote, off-grid South Australian township of […]
2nd round of ACT government tender will bring solar + battery storage to 600 Canberra homes
The ACT government has announced that it will target around 600 Canberra homes and businesses in the second round of its battery storage tender. The new funding round will make […]
Energy storage in NSW after the Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff Scheme
There are roughly 150,000 households in New South Wales who receive solar feed-in tariff payments under the state’s Solar Bonus Scheme. As the Sydney Morning Herald pointed out recently, before […]
In what situations does battery storage already make financial sense?
There is a phenomenal amount of buzz about home battery storage in Australia – it’s a hot topic because of the potential value proposition and the allure of energy independence. […]
Solar homes exceed 50% penetration mark in 14 suburbs
Rooftop solar uptake is continuing to grow in Australia, with a new report showing 14 suburbs with PV penetration above 50 per cent, and many others with uptake far above […]
Who needs batteries? How SolarImmersion puts your excess solar energy to work
Every day, thousands of Australia’s solar homes send excess solar power into the grid for little or no financial reward. SolarImmersion is a simple gadget that puts surplus solar energy […]
First Renewable Cities Australia Forum to be held 1-2 June in Sydney
Australia will host its first ever Renewable Cities Australia Forum next week at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney. The forum will be held alongside the Energy Storage Conference & […]
Another 3GW of capacity required for Aus to meet 2020 renewables target
As much as 3000MW of new-build renewable energy capacity – or another 30 Clare Solar Farms – will need to be committed in 2016 alone if Australia is meet its […]
Aquion’s saltwater batteries: Affordable, safe, clean – and available in Australia
Aquion is a US-based battery manufacturer bringing a fresh approach to battery manufacturing. The company’s saltwater-based batteries are some of the most affordable, safest, and environmentally-friendly batteries on the planet, […]
Westpac launches CEFC-backed financing for clean energy technologies
A new loan facility launched by Westpac Bank in conjunction with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation aims to help Australian businesses invest in solar, battery storage, energy efficient technologies and […]
