Solar Energy

Researchers at Swinburne, the University of Sydney and Australian National University have collaborated to develop a solar absorbing, ultrathin film with unique properties that has great potential for use in solar thermal energy harvesting. The 90 nanometre material is 1000 times finer than a human hair and is able to rapidly heat up to 160°C … Continue reading Ultrathin graphene film offers new concept for solar energy →

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors have announced plans to introduce “solar roof” charging technology on selected Hyundai Motor Group vehicles to help meet global regulations targets and improve vehicle fuel efficiency. In an announcement on Wednesday, the Hyundai Motor Group said that electricity generating solar panels would be incorporated onto either the roof or hood … Continue reading Hyundai, Kia Motors to develop solar roof charging tech for cars →

German energy storage company Sonnen will use the old Adelaide GM Holden factory to manufacture lithium-ion batteries, with the new production facility expected to be up and running within two months. The site at Elizabeth will become Sonnen’s central shipping facility for Australia and the Asia and South Pacific region. The announcement comes after the South Australian … Continue reading Sonnen to manufacture batteries in Adelaide →

Western Australia energy provider, Synergy, has appointed diversified engineering and infrastructure company PCR Tomlinson for construction and commissioning of a $60 million expansion to the Greenough River solar farm. The 10MW Greenough River solar farm, located in Walkaway, Western Australia, was the country’s first utility-scale solar farm when it first opened in October 2012. The clean, … Continue reading Synergy appoints RCR for Greenough River solar farm expansion →

Genex Power has announced plans to develop a wind farm of upto 150MW in capacity as part of its Kidtson renewable energy hub, being developed on the closed Kidtson gold mine in far north Queensland. The wind farm project would form the third phase of Genex’s energy hub which integrates large-scale solar and pumped storage … Continue reading Genex proposes new wind farm for Kidston renewable energy hub →

China-based Jolywood Solar Technology has signed a cooperation agreement with the Australian solar company Golden Invest in order to develop solar projects in Australia. The Chinese firm is involved in the research, development and mass production of N-type bifacial solar cells, which will now be offered to local energy projects. The deal will see Golden … Continue reading Jolywood, Golden Invest partner on solar projects in Australia →

The world’s largest virtual power plant will create more than 500 renewable energy jobs – with South Australian manufacturers set to play a key role. Around 250 new jobs will be created through the installation of Tesla Powerwall 2 products on as many as 50,000 state homes over the next four years. Up to 260 … Continue reading World’s largest virtual power plant to create 500 SA jobs →

Australian solar cell research has received a $29.2 million boost from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and UNSW has 11 of the 22 projects. “Australia is at the forefront of solar photovoltaics technology development – our researchers regularly break world records,” said Josh Frydenberg, Minister for the Environment and Energy, announcing ARENA’s funding round at UNSW’s … Continue reading Solar research gets $29.2m boost →

Diversified NSW engineering and infrastructure company RCR Tomlinson has been selected to carry out two major solar projects worth $260 million. RCR will carry out construction and maintenance works at the Clermont solar farm in northern Queensland and the Wemen solar farm in Victoria, which are being developed by international renewables company Wirsol Energy. Contracts … Continue reading RCR Tomlinson wins $260m VIC, QLD solar projects →

Twelve of Australia’s large-scale solar plants have been awarded grant funding by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Funding will be received by financial close this month, according to a report by The Guardian, and means agreements for engineering, construction, and grid connection are confirmed.  Works have already begun at nine of the 12 Arena-funded plants … Continue reading Construction good to go at 12 Arena solar power plants →

South Australia has reached its renewable energy target of 50 per cent almost eight years ahead of schedule. The state has already surpassed its target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2025, reaching 53 per cent from 2016-2017. In 2014, this figure was 36 per cent. “I am pleased that South Australia is leading … Continue reading SA reaches 50 per cent renewable energy target 8 years early →

Australia’s solar heliostat technology will be used for concentrating solar thermal (CST) electricity generation in China.

Tesla has announced an expansion of its collaboration with Panasonic Corp, with a letter of intent for production of photovoltaic cells and modules at Buffalo, New York.

Industry groups, clean energy companies and electricity users have penned an open letter to the government, requesting a compromise on the RET.

Australia’s Renewable Energy Target remains undecided and the Government may start to negotiate with crossbenchers to resolve the impasse.

​Cook Medical Australia has installed a 706 square metre solar panel field at the company’s Brisbane headquarters.

A Christchurch manufacturer has won the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand’s most innovative approach award for 2014.

Richard Inwood, a prominent South Australian renewable energy lobbyist, has resigned from his job as group manager of solar panel maker Tindo Solar.

Australian solar cell materials maker Dyesol has signed a letter of intent detailing a Proposed Distribution Agreement with Tata Steel UK.

The renewable energy industry has hit out at the Renewable Energy Target (RET) Review Panel and said its recommendations could put 21,000 jobs at risk.