A major new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency has predicted huge reductions in the cost renewable energy generation, that could see the average cost of electricity from solar […]
Category: Solar Choice News
Solar Choice’s news service about local, national and global developments about solar photovoltaics and related technology.
How AllGrid energy is reducing energy costs for remote communities and beyond
AllGrid Energy made a big splash last year after it announced a home battery storage product – the WattGrid – which the company claimed would rival Tesla’s much vaunted Powerwall. The […]
Victoria plans for 40% renewables target by 2025
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
UNSW team achieves new solar PV efficiency record of 34.5%
A University of NSW team led by Professor Martin Green and Dr Mark Keevers has reported a new world efficiency record for solar cells using unfocused sunlight – the sort […]
