A new report from Alinta Energy has declared that solar thermal generation is still too expensive to consider as a replacement plant for its ageing coal-fired generators in Port Augusta, […]
Tag: ARENA
‘Virtual net metering’ trial program to allow Byron Bay Shire to sell solar to neighbouring sewage plant
The NSW government has confirmed its support of an “energy trading trial” that will allow Byron Shire council to sell output from a council-owned rooftop solar array to a neighbouring […]
Coalition rejects 41,000GWh ‘compromise’ on Renewable Energy Target
Federal industry minister Ian Macfarlane has rejected the offer of a compromise on the Renewable Energy Target from the Clean Energy Council, saying his government would not budge above 32,000GWh. […]
Alice Springs grid could handle 10MW more solar without storage: ARENA study
A new Australian study has found that Alice Springs could boost its share grid-connected solar by 26 per cent without affecting stability or necessitating energy storage. The ARENA-backed study, which […]
Next round of ACT feed-in tariff for large-scale renewables to foster solar-plus-storage projects
The ACT government is set to follow up its successful utility-scale solar and wind energy reverse auctions with another renewables bidding round – this time for large-scale solar plus storage […]
NSW’s Broken Hill solar farm to be completed by end of 2015
The Broken Hill solar plant in New South Wales will be completed as scheduled by the end of the year, according to a press release from the plant’s developer, utility […]
ARENA study counts the many roads to renewable energy integration
Listening to the debate on renewable energy in Australia, one could be mistaken for thinking that the idea of integrating wind and solar into our existing electrical infrastructure is pure […]
Australia’s largest energy storage system to provide back-up to solar in Queensland
ASX-listed energy investment group Tag Pacific has won a landmark deal to develop Australia’s largest energy storage system alongside a grid-connected solar power plant in south-east Queensland. The battery storage […]
Energy-storage startup Reposit Power could allow solar homes to bypass electricity retailers
Australian households could soon be able to bypass electricity retailers and buy and sell power on the market, via new technology set to be introduced by a Canberra-based company. Reposit […]
Stunning new video from ARENA makes strong case for agency’s work and showcases Aussie RE innovation
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has released an inspiring video showcasing the agency’s accomplishments since it came into being just 2.5 years ago. The video, titled ‘Tomorrow’s Energy’, is narrated […]
Australian rooftop solar capacity now over 4GW
Just days after data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed one in five houses in Australia used some form of solar energy, new data has shown that the nation’s […]
Fulcrum3D’s Australian-grown cloud monitoring solution wins ARENA grant
Australian-made technology that predicts cloud movements to help get the most out of solar panels is one of the latest recipients of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). […]
Utility-scale solar to be competitive with new coal by 2020
Large-scale solar will be cost competitive with new coal-fired power stations in Australia by the end of the decade, the head of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has predicted. ARENA […]
Construction at Moree Solar farm gets underway
Construction of one of Australia’s largest solar PV plants, the 70MW Moree Solar Farm in northern NSW, is officially underway, after a ceremonial turning of sod at the site on Thursday. […]
53MW Broken Hill solar plant receives planning approval
A 53MW solar power plant planned for Broken Hill in NSW has been given the final go-ahead by the state’s department of planning and environment, after approving the Construction Environmental […]
Xenophon, while withholding comment on RET, says small-scale solar should be expanded
As the Abbott government attempts to wrangle its proposed changes to the Renewable Energy Target, the future for the solar industry brightened a little, after independent senator Nick Xenophon signalled […]
Australian investment in large-scale renewables took a nose-dive in 2014 due to RET uncertainty
A report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance shows that Australia is on track to record its lowest level of asset financing for large-scale renewables since 2002, with just $193 million […]
UNSW’s ‘stacked’ silicon-perovskite technology promises to double solar cell efficiency
An innovative solar project being developed by researchers at the University of New South Wales is aiming to more than double the efficiency of solar cells. The project, headed up […]
Silex Systems, citing RET uncertainty, suspends plans for Mildura 100MW demo CPV plant
Plans for a first-of-its-kind, 100MW concentrated solar power plant in Mildura have been shelved, after the Australian Renewable Energy Agency agreed with the project’s developer to withdraw funding. The plant, […]
ARENA to put $450k towards development of Aussie-designed portable hybrid solar generator
An Australian-designed, off-grid renewables solution is a step closer to being realised, after winning further funding from ARENA. The Australian Renewable Energy Association has announced it will put $450,000 towards […]
With Moree Solar Farm’s future secured, ‘great opportunities’ await NSW large-scale solar
Moree Solar Farm, the ground-breaking 56MW PV tracking plant slated for development in the NSW farming district, is set to begin construction within months after finally securing financial closure this week. […]
Moree Solar Farm reaches financial close, construction to begin ‘immediately’
One of the largest solar farms in Australia’s pipeline has reached financial close and will begin construction immediately, according to a press release from its developer, FRV. Moree Solar Farm […]
One of Australia’s largest solar developers faces insolvency
One of Australia’s largest and most prominent solar developers faces collapse after being placed in the hands of administrators late last week. According to ASIC documents, the business and its […]
Australian Solar Council and Solar Citizens slam government on plans to scrap ARENA
Australia’s Solar Council has launched a campaign to save the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, warning the federal government that dumping it would damage the solar industry and put Australia well […]
First Solar says utility-scale solar price will halve by 2019–if RET remains intact
The cost of utility-scale solar in Australia will halve over the next five years, making it cheaper than wind energy by 2020, according to predictions from one of the world’s […]
FRV suggests energy storage ‘multiplier’ incentive to encourage renewables, reduce peak demand
Spanish renewables group, FRV, has suggested the introduction of a form of banding, or a “multiplier,” to encourage the development of energy storage. FRV suggests a multiplier could be applied […]
Aussie investors Southern Cross Ventures back US solar-plus-storage startup
A leading US developer of battery storage and energy management systems has gained backing from Australian cleantech investment fund Southern Cross Venture Partners. Southern Cross led a $15 million fundraising […]
Australian concentrating solar demo plant sets solar heat record
A CSIRO-developed Australian solar thermal project has achieved what is being described as a game-changing breakthrough, demonstrating the technology’s potential to compete with modern coal-fired plants. The CSIRO Energy Centre […]
Abengoa feasibility study could pave the way for solar thermal with storage in Australia
Spanish renewable energy giant Abengoa has secured $450,000 in funds from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to conduct a feasibility study into building a 20MW solar thermal tower plant with […]
Silex Systems says Mildura CPV plant on track despite ARENA worries
Australian company Silex Systems has sought to reassure investors that its flagship 100MW concentrating solar PV power project in Victoria is still on track despite changes to Australia’s clean energy […]
Construction begins on Australia’s first concentrating solar plant with storage
Construction of Australia’s first stand-alone concentrated solar thermal power station with integrated storage is underway in NSW, with a project that promises to deliver electricity on demand, for around the […]
