CEFC finances 165 MW at three sites in Australia
Clean Energy Finance Corp.’s (CEFC) has announced its latest round of solar financing, with A$77 million ($58.3 million) to support the development of three projects in the states of Queensland and Victoria.
Elon Musk throws down “serious” challenge to tackle South Australia’s energy crisis
Tesla founder Elon Musk has thrown down a challenge to the Australian government, saying that he can build a battery array capable of resolving South Australia’s energy stability issues within 100 days. Musk took to social media to make the challenge, saying that Tesla could develop a 100 MWh system to stabilize the state’s electricity network, within 100 days of a contract being signed, or that he’ll provide it for free.
Tesla launches Powerwall 2, says all solar homes will have storage
Tesla has officially launched its range of second generation home and grid-scale battery storage products in Australia, with installations of the company’s fully integrated, 14kWh residential Powerwall 2 units to begin in homes throughout the country next month.
Australia: Solar and storage startups pitch to investors, in first Clean Energy Innovators Demo Day
Seven PV and battery storage companies have pitched to investors at the first Clean Energy Innovators Demo Day in Sydney. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) organized the event and can also finance investments in early-stage companies through its Innovation Fund.
Australian Battery storage held back by ignorance of regulators, ministers
Leading battery storage developers have expressed their frustration that ignorance among regulators and energy ministers is holding the technology back, despite it being cost competitive.
ARENA backs deX project to deliver open-source digital marketplace coupling distributed solar-plus-storage and grid services
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $450,000 (US$346,000) towards the Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX) project, which aims to produce an open-source software platform on which grid services can be provided and monetized by distributed battery storage. A combination of Australian utilities, research bodies, and startups are collaborating on the $930,200 ($715,000) deX project.
Australia has 4.7 GW of large-scale solar in the works, finds new Climate Council report
Key findings of report point to “huge” year for large-scale solar in Australia in 2017, with 20 such plants to come online over the next 12 months. Globally, costs have dropped 58% in five years, with the world now sitting on 300 GW of installed PV capacity.
Queensland regulators want battery storage out of homes, garages
Two Queensland workplace regulators are recommending that all battery storage units not be placed in either the home or the garage, and should instead be installed in a free standing, weatherproof enclosures.
Australia: 320 MW of solar farms commence construction in Victoria
Three PV power plants worth a combined 320 MW have begun construction in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. A joint venture between Overland Sun Farming and the UK’s Island Green Power is behind the AU$500 million (US$384 million) development, which is going ahead despite the projects not having yet signed PPAs.
Foresight purchases first Australian PV power plant, with 25 MW Barcaldine project
Britain’s Foresight Group had made its first investment into large scale PV in Australia. It announced today the acquisition of the 25 MW Barcaldine Remote Community Solar Farm in Queensland.
