Qld govt scheme installs rooftop solar on 350 low-income homes in Cairns and Rockhampton, 130 in Lockhart River. Households expected to save up to $250 a year.
Solar installed on 500 public housing homes in Queensland, focus turns to rental market
Policy
Hundreds of Queensland state schools to go solar
Qld govt to fund solar and energy efficiency roll out across around 800 state schools, in bid to cut the collective energy bill by 20%.
A 2GW solar farm – for farmers: India launches "world's largest" solar park
India's newly inaugurated Pavagada Solar Park looks at farmers as key partners, and also key beneficiaries of the world-leading 2GW project.
NSW regional council weighs building its own solar grid
NSW shire of Parkes to explore feasibility of building its own “virtual solar network,” based on existing PV investments and future solar and storage installs.
Solar PPA partners named in potential 10MW NSW PV roll-out
NSW govt set to roll out solar across its buildings and infrastructure after selection of five “prequalified, carefully vetted” solar PPA suppliers.
Victoria regulator finalises new time-varying tariffs for solar exports
Victoria regulator finalises decision on Australia's first time-varying feed-in tariffs for solar, although acknowledges risks some users could abuse system by charging batteries at night.
Xenophon's SA BEST unveils community electricity co-op plan
SA BEST promises cut state power prices by up to 20%, build new renewables, with community electricity retailer scheme.
Four Spanish islands launch 100% renewables plan, defying Madrid
Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Fomentera currently depend on coal for nearly half their power supplies and get only 2% from renewables. The Balearic government wants to change all that.
Victoria regulator proposes 29c/kWh solar export tariff in peak period
Victoria regulator proposes 29c/kWh "peak" tariff for solar exports between 3pm and 8pm - a move that is likely to increase the business case for household battery storage.
Despite boom, rooftop solar industry on tenterhooks over RET changes
Confusion over RET regulation changes has revealed large cracks in the faith of the renewable energy industry, which – still recovering from the Abbott years – is spooked by the National Energy Guarantee, and possible future policy changes, just as the market is hitting its stride.
ESB told to ignore climate, as lobby groups muscle in on policy
Energy Security Board instructed to ignore Paris climate goals as main business lobby group asks for seat at table in talks around proposed National Energy Guarantee. This comes as more confirmation received on hurried and secret proposals, and as Coalition launches another scare campaign about renewable energy costs.
How a Republican Mayor turned his struggling California city into a clean energy powerhouse
California produces more solar power per capita than any other city in California, and it is close to producing more renewable energy than it uses.
Battery ban off the table after industry roundtable “consensus”
Standards Australia says industry roundtable has broadly agreed to “review” proposed rule banning li-ion batteries from being installed inside homes and garages. But rifts emerge in industry.
ACT tips another $4m into home battery subsidy scheme
ACT government opens third competitive grants round, in a $4m extension of its home battery storage subsidisation scheme.
Warnings of energy storage market chaos, as industry unites against home battery ban
Australian energy storage industry registers thousands of protests against Standards Australia's proposed home battery ban. Industry body says if draft adopted, the energy storage industry in Australia and globally will be "thrown into chaos.”
The energy revolution is here – but are consumers invited?
Early adopters of rooftop solar, and now battery storage, have got Australia's energy revolution well underway. But what's in it for those of us still smarting from a 200% increase in power bills? And how can we make the new energy market a fair one?
