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 […]
Category: Solar Panel & Renewable Energy Policies
Solar Choice articles about solar pv, solar power policy and renewable energy policy. Solar Choice is Australia’s solar power installation brokering and solar quote comparison service. Contact Solar Choice for a free comparison of solar power quotes.
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 […]
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 […]
When do the solar feed-in tariffs end? A state-by-state look
Solar feed-in tariffs were once the most influential factor in a given state’s rooftop solar market, but all of the generous rates once available have been closed to new applicants. […]
More rooftop solar could bolster energy security for Tasmania: Report
A new report has emerged suggesting that the solar power generated on Tasmania’s rooftops is being seriously undervalued, a factor that is holding back growth in an industry that could […]
Commercial Solar PV Price Index: May 2016
Average commercial solar system prices continued to hug $1.32-$1.33 for the 5th month running (since the beginning of the year), according to data from Solar Choice’s installer network. Larger systems […]
How much does a 5kW solar system cost in Melbourne, Victoria?
Solar power is still a great investment option for Melbourne homes & businesses, even after a number of changes to state and federal government incentives. 5kW solar systems have proven to […]
Impact Investment Group purchases 11MW Williamsdale solar farm in ACT
A privately owned funds management company has bought an 11MW solar project in the Australian Capital Territory as part of a major push into the Australian solar market. Impact Investment […]
Which retailer is offering the best electricity plan for solar customers in Brisbane?
Getting a higher feed-in tariff from your electricity retailer looks great on paper, but it does not necessarily mean that you will save more money on your electricity bills. We’ve taken […]
Introducing a (free) tool that allows solar homes to meaningfully compare retail electricity plans
Solar PV system owners – generally speaking – do not like their electricity retailers. Maybe it’s just the sense of independence they get from generating a portion of their own […]
Residential Solar PV Price Index – May 2016
Based on data from Solar Choice’s installer network database, the average price of per watt of a fully installed residential solar system in Australia as of May 2016 is about […]
Energex proposes ban on use of batteries, AC units & other white goods during ‘off-peak’ periods
Queensland government-owned network operator Energex has proposed banning battery storage, air conditioning and appliances such as washing machines and clothes dryers from off peak loads in a move that has […]
ACT Enviro Minister Simon Corbell to be opening speaker at Renewable Cities Australia Forum
The Australian Capital Territory’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment Simon Corbell will be the keynote speaker at Australia’s inaugural Renewable Cities Australia Forum, which will be held alongside […]
Melbourne suburb to go off grid with solar and energy storage
A first-of-its kind trial in Australia will take part of a Melbourne suburb completely off grid using rooftop solar and battery storage. The trial planned by Victorian network operator Ausnet […]
Neighbourhood battery storage pilot program launched in WA suburb of Alkimos Beach
Rooftop solar and battery storage could soon become standard features of new residential housing developments, depending on the success of a ground-breaking community-scale solar and energy storage trial in Western […]
Commercial Solar PV Price Index: April 2016
The average price of a fully installed commercial-scale solar system changed little between March and April 2016 – holding steady at about $1.33 per watt. While there were slight increases in […]
Could Labor deploy ‘reverse auctions’ for renewables on the national scale?
The Australian Labor Party could use “reverse auctions” to help meet a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 if it wins power in the federal election later this […]
With 59MW added in March, Australia’s total rooftop solar capacity now at just under 4.8GW
Another 59MW of rooftop solar was added by Australian homes and businesses in the month of March, with first quarter installations now matching those for the 2012 and 2013 calendar […]
Victoria could handily meet 30% renewables target by 2020: Report
A new report has found that Victoria could achieve a renewable energy target of 30 per cent by 2020, simply by maintaining medium growth of rooftop solar power and building […]
Over 5,000 ACT homes to get discounted battery storage under latest incentive round
More than 5,000 homes and businesses in the Australian Capital Territory will get discounted battery storage under the ACT’s latest round of capacity auctions for large-scale renewables. Around $25 million […]
Residential solar PV price index – April 2016
Average solar PV system prices dropped slightly between March and April of 2016, following a downward trend that started in February. Based on data from Solar Choice’s installer network database, […]
NSW to fast-track development of large-scale solar farms
The NSW Legislative Council has unanimously supported a motion aimed at fast-tracking the development of large-scale solar and wind energy projects in the state. The motion, introduced by the Greens […]
Solar Choice’s Gannawarra Solar Farm approaches ‘construction ready’ milestone
The first 50 megawatt segment of Solar Choice’s largest Victorian project – the Gannawarra Solar Farm – is slated to be ‘construction ready’ in the next two months. The farm, […]
Commercial Solar PV Price Index: March 2016
The average price of a commercial solar system has increased slightly between February and March, according to figures from Solar Choice’s installer network database. The average price of an installed commercial […]
How the South Australian government is supporting renewables & energy storage
South Australia is one of the most progressive states in the country when it comes to renewable energy. Roughly 30% of the homes in the state already have solar PV […]
What if the QLD government offered battery incentives in the form of a (voluntary) feed-in tariff buyout?
There are tens of thousands of Queensland households benefitting from the state’s Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff Scheme, which offers a generous rate of 44c per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to those who […]
Sharing the sun in the ACT: How SolarShare is facilitating community solar power
Not everyone can own a solar PV system – particularly if they don’t have a roof to put one on. Canberra-based SolarShare is one of the first companies in Australia […]
Residential solar PV price index – March 2016
After two consecutive months of increases, average solar PV system prices have dropped slightly for the first time in the new year, currently sitting at about $1.65/W. Average solar PV […]
Victorian government makes it easier for homes to install solar
Rooftop solar uptake in the state of Victoria is set to get a boost, with the introduction of a new bill by the Andrews Labor government that will make PV […]
Western Australia study to investigate viability of renewables-based microgrid
Western Australian will spend $300,000 on a feasibility study for the creation of the country’s biggest edge-of-grid solution – a renewables-based micro grid to cut costs and improve energy security. […]
