News

Solar-and-storage classroom scores ‘A’ for efficiency

11th June, 2019 | For Consumers, Renewables, Solar, Storage

Solar power is helping students get comfortable with learning, thanks to a local company that makes energy-efficient classrooms.

Victorian $51m equity tilt takes CEFC large-scale solar portfolio beyond $1bn

11th June, 2019 | Australia, Funding, Projects, Renewables, Solar, Solar Projects, Storage

The CEFC has announced its third equity investment in a large-scale renewable energy development, with a $51 million stake in Victoria’s 200MW Kiamal Solar Farm.

How partnerships can pole vault new solutions over the barriers to change on the electrical grid

11th June, 2019 | Comment, International, Projects, Renewables, Storage

We’ll get the grid we need with less strain and wasted opportunity if we put our heads together, writes Tim MacTaggart.

Energy storage event to tackle the sector’s biggest challenges

3rd June, 2019 | Storage

The Australian Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition next week will answer any questions about the possibilities of saving energy for later.

CEFC hits 2GW of wind with $180m NSW debt commitment

30th May, 2019 | Funding, Projects, Wind Projects

With 54 wind turbines, the project is expected to generate in the order of 528GWh of energy annually, enough to meet the needs of around 80,000 average homes.

Supreme Court rules rushed new Queensland solar regulations invalid

30th May, 2019 | For Installers, Policy, Renewables, Solar, Solar, State Policy

The Supreme Court of Queensland has overturned a regulation requiring the use of licensed electrical workers to mount and fix unplugged solar panels.

Caring for the next generation … the case for asset management

29th May, 2019 | Comment, Renewables, Solar, Solar

The future of Australia’s clean energy fleet relies on decisions made today, writes Beatriz Toribio López of asset management services company Blueshore.

Tower of power stacks up as long-term renewable energy storage contender

29th May, 2019 | Renewables, Storage

A tower of 35-tonne bricks could be the key to managing renewable intermittency and expanding grid capacity.

Short-term forecasting, long-term challenge

28th May, 2019 | Comment, Renewables, Solar, Wind

Solar and wind generators stand to gain if investment in short-term forecasting reaps better results than AEMO can deliver, writes Dr Colin Bonner.

CEC Large-scale Solar Forum: Firming panel … ‘the prospects are good’

27th May, 2019 | Australia, Projects, Pumped hydro, Renewables, Solar, Solar, Solar Projects, Storage, Wind

For solar PV to fulfill everyone’s expectations as a mainstream source of energy in the grid it must lose some of its reputation as an irregular generator. It won’t be easy but it can be done, the audience heard.

CEC Large-scale Solar Forum: Market outlook panel … ‘prepare for risk, and a pause’

27th May, 2019 | Australia, Commercial, For Installers, Projects, Renewables, Solar, Solar, Solar Projects, Storage

It’s hard to look too far ahead when network constraints and a growing appetite to buy energy directly from generators are two forces pulling the market from opposite directions.

CEC Large-scale Solar Forum: Grid connection panel … ‘60% technical, 40% relationships’

27th May, 2019 | Australia, Projects, Renewables, Solar, Solar, Solar Projects

It takes careful planning, deep resources, refined diplomatic skills and straight-ahead honesty to negotiate the arcane and frustratingly opaque grid-connection process, the audience heard.

Solar project racks up 50 PV plants in South Australia as farmers diversify

27th May, 2019 | Australia, For Installers, Projects, Renewables, Solar, Solar, Solar Projects

A renewable energy project that started as a way to provide extra income for grape and citrus growers has built its 50th small-scale solar farm in South Australia.

Energy efficiency jobs biggest opportunity in sector

25th May, 2019 | Efficiency, Funding, Policy, Renewables

The Energy Efficiency Employment in Australia report suggests the sector is bigger than most people – especially politicians – realise, writes Tristan Edis.

Victoria joins the sonnenFlat fray as ‘energy services’ blends with hardware

24th May, 2019 | For Installers, Renewables, Solar, Solar, Storage

German-designed, Australian-made battery brand sonnen has the pieces it needs to test the true value of network-integrated storage.

Free solar sales tool will open doors for installers

23rd May, 2019 | For Installers, Renewables, Solar, Solar

A new solar sales software tool allows installers to tap vast industry reserves.

Solar’s broken promises … risk builds in PV performance guarantees

23rd May, 2019 | Commercial, For Consumers, For Installers, Renewables, Residential, Solar, Solar

In the clamour to win business installers are eagerly offering performance guarantees that may put their businesses at risk, writes Jeremy Chunn.

It’s time for a 10% energy savings target

22nd May, 2019 | Comment, Efficiency, Policy

Fresh federal leadership with a commitment to a national target would be a tidy primary lever to reduce energy bills, peak demand and greenhouse gas emissions, writes Rod Woolley.

Powercor residential demand management program saves summer kilowatts, pays participants

21st May, 2019 | Efficiency, For Consumers, Renewables

More than a thousand Victorians shared in $50,000 as part of a Powercor program that helped reduce energy demand on hot summer days.

Hospital energy upgrades save $4m and create nine jobs

20th May, 2019 | Efficiency

Companies conducting upgrades across Australia seek out whatever financial incentives are available to reduce upfront costs. They will undertake upgrades that attract incentives first.