Global Utility-Scale Solar Could Reach 100GW By Year’s End
Cumulative utility-scale capacity reached 75GW by the end of June and there’s a possibility the 100GW mark could be attained by the end of this year. A report from Wiki-Solar states figures at the end of June indicate 2016 will be the 6th consecutive record year for utility-scale solar. 10GW of new solar plants had […]
JA Solar Posts Strong Second Quarter
JA Solar continues to impress, with the solar panel manufacturer posting significant gains in module shipments during Q2. According to unaudited results published last week, JA Solar’s total shipments of modules and cells reached 1,380.8 megawatts during Q2, with 1,229.3 MW shipped to external customers and the remainder to the company’s downstream projects. The figures […]
Enphase AC Battery Arrives In Australia
The wait is just about over – the first Enphase AC Battery shipment destined for the general market has arrived in Australia, and units will soon be on their way to installers across the country. Over the past few months, a number of “beta” installs have been occurring throughout Australia. Feedback from installers and owners […]
COAG Energy Council Meeting Outcomes
Last week’s COAG Energy Council meeting was deemed a success – or was it? Views are divided. Announced in late July by Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg, the meeting occurred in Canberra on Thursday and Friday last week. Among the major agenda items were issues concerning transforming energy markets to better cater […]
The Story Behind The Batteries That Powered Solar Impulse 2
Solar Impulse 2’s recently completed flight around the world may not have occurred without a very special set of batteries. The energy storage solution used consisted of Kokam Co., Ltd’s Ultra High Energy NMC batteries; based on lithium nickel manganese cobalt chemistry. Solar Impulse featured four 38.5 kilowatt hour (kWh) of these battery packs that […]
ARENA Funding Cut “Foolish, Short-sighted”
Reports the Turnbull Government intends to proceed in ripping $1 billion from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) have again been met with strong opposition. It appears the Government will take action soon after Parliament returns on Monday. The plan was originally hatched in March, with the announcement of a “new” $1 billion Clean Energy […]
Western Australia Cutting Solar PPA Red Tape
The Western Australian Government has announced it is making solar power purchase agreements more accessible in the State. Energy Minister Mike Nahan said his government would be making it easier for solar PPA providers to operate in Western Australia by allowing companies to apply directly to the Public Utilities Office (PUO) for exemptions from the […]
Tasmania’s Solar Uptake Attributed To Basslink Outage
Tasmania’s recent energy crisis appears to have triggered increased interest in solar power systems in the Apple Isle. An ABC report indicates uptake of small scale residential and commercial solar power was up by at least 25% during the first five months of this year – and was possibly higher due to lagging in reporting. […]
Another Black Eye For The Big Three Electricity Retailers?
A new report states the “Big Three” electricity retailers in Australia are charging two to three times more to sell electricity in four Australian states than the ACT’s regulated retailer. The Big Three refers to AGL Energy, Energy Australia, and Origin Energy. The report, prepared by CME and commissioned by grass-roots activist group GetUp!, paints […]
Faster Water Disinfection Using A Tiny Solar Powered Device
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have unveiled a tiny solar device that can disinfect contaminated water in minutes. The new device offers a fast alternative to common water-cleansing methods used in developing countries such as boiling, or by placing plastic bottles filled with water in the sun […]