Gympie solar farm gets Council approval for $2 billion project
Gympie Regional Council green-lighted the $2 billion Lower Wonga solar farm project this week, adding to Queensland’s superiority in solar uptake nationally. Built over the next four years, the Gympie solar farm will create 450 construction jobs, 12 permanent operational positions and major business opportunities, council says. Councillors unanimously backed the project, which is expected to […]
Clean Energy Regulator takes action against solar installer
The Clean Energy Regulator has taken enforcement action against a solar installation business for not complying with Australian regulations. The CER found Green and Gold Solar Australia improperly created small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for solar installations without Victorian Certificates of Electrical Safety. STCs are issued by the CER for eligible solar installations, which means using […]
Queensland renewable power surges to new heights
Investment in the Queensland renewable power sector has surged to $1.6 billion, with 14 new projects currently under construction across the state. These projects are set to create more than 1,300 new construction jobs in the energy sector, according to a milestone report from the Climate Council. It finds Queensland leads the nation in residential solar […]
Biggest solar farm in the world gets green light from Federal Government
The world’s biggest solar farm will be built in Queensland after earning an environmental green tick from the Federal Government. The Bulli Creek Solar Farm near Millmerran south of Toowoomba is expected to cost $1 billion. The 2,000MW project is designed for construction over four stages and over three adjoining properties. These are cleared and used […]
Sydney’s Inner West Council forges ahead on solar / renewable energy policy
Inner West Council in Sydney’s western region is taking the bull by the horns when it comes to climate and renewable and solar energy. The Council has developed a strong proactive plan on energy and climate change. Mayor Darcy Byrne said in a media statement that the council’s newly elected government intends to “punch above […]
Non-profit retailer could unlock low-income solar power
The South Australian government should establish a not-for-profit, public-interest retailer to ensure low-income solar power access for households that need it. That’s the recommendation of the upcoming ‘Repowering South Australia’ report, written for Solar Citizens by Nicky Ison from the Community Power Agency. The imagined retailer, dubbed PowerAccess in the report, would operate as a […]
Interactive maps show the way to clean energy future via demand management
New interactive grid maps will assist demand management and support clean energy uptake in a decentralised distribution network. The Network Opportunity Maps include up-to-date data relating to network investment and load forecast data. They also show where new solar battery, wind and renewable generation can best be placed to assist a decentralised electricity grid. For […]
Western Sydney solar uptake through the roof
Western Sydney solar uptake is enjoying a boom, figures from the Australian PV Institute show. The area includes six of the top 10 spots for solar panel installations in NSW. Top of the NSW list is Blacktown boasting 18,459 installations, with Penrith and the Hills Shire following not far behind. And Western Sydney now makes […]
Demand response solar solution for summer blackouts
A solar energy demand response solution will relieve pressure on the national grid this summer. The low-cost scheme called Powershop also allows consumers to control power use during times of peak load. Demand response has been successful overseas and will undergo a three-year trial in Victoria, NSW and South Australia. The $35.7 million program is funded […]
How rooftop solar and battery systems can help secure the electricity grid
Trial results in NSW show how rooftop solar and battery systems can be a valuable resource for regulating the electricity grid. The Networks Renewed pilot trials were conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS with $1.87 million funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). There is a perception that renewable energy like solar and […]
