Snowy 2.0 scheme is vital nation-building infrastructure – Energy Minister

Josh Frydenberg says the nation needs the Snowy 2.0 scheme

Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg says Australia must have the energy storage capacity of the Snowy 2.0 scheme. In an opinion piece for the Financial Review published yesterday, Mr Frydenberg said Australians will pay more for electricity without the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydropower scheme. The scheme relies on stored energy from the river water pumped up […]

Aussie rooftop solar installations edge towards 2 million

CER proposes change to federal solar rebate amount

The latest figures from Australia’s regulator show that the nation is edging closer to the 2 million mark on rooftop solar installations. The  figures from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) show Australia now has a combined 6.29 GW of rooftop solar installed. Rooftop solar is one way of harnessing the sun’s energy to combat the […]

NSW solar tender calls for CEC Approved Solar Retailers

The NSW government is issuing a public tender to install solar PV and battery storage systems in public buildings. But the successful bidder must be a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer (aka CEC approved solar retailers). The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage is calling on approved solar retailers to service schools, TAFEs, offices, […]

Victorian solar higher feed-in tariff welcomed by community

Victorian feed-in tariffs under review

Victorian solar panel owners could see the feed-in tariff they get for supplying energy into the main grid nearly triple this year. That’s if the Victorian Essential Services Commission successfully introduces a transition to a “time-varying” feed-in tariff. Community groups have welcomed the potentially higher feed-in tariff. The payment is currently a minimum of 11.3 […]

Soaring temperatures prompt warnings on heat wave electricity supply

AEMO

Australia’s sizzling summer is about to put the electricity grid to the test as the Australian Energy Market Operator issues a new heat warning. In a heat wave electricity supply is particularly tested by the demand for air conditioning. AEMO’s weather service provider issued forecast temperatures this week for Victoria that are equal to or […]

Community solar energy projects give renters access to cheap solar power

Solar panels

Renters and low-income earners can often feel they are stuck with high electricity bills because they are locked out of opportunities for solar power. The growth of community solar energy projects in Australia, however, may be offering a solution. A community solar project is one where solar energy is shared around a community. There is […]

Albury family uses solar plus battery to eliminate electricity costs

Tesla Powerwall pre-ordering

A family living in Thurgoona, NSW, a suburb of Albury, has discovered just how much money they can save by installing solar panels combined with energy storage batteries. According to a report in the Border Mail, the solar plus battery strategy means that not only has the family’s electricity bills have been completely slashed, they have […]