Wattwatchers, a Sydney-based “internet of things” energy management start-up has been selected by judges as one of two winners of this year’s Australian Technology Competition. The developer of the web-based […]
Demand tariffs could save Aussie consumers over 10% per year on electricity: Report
The introduction of demand-based network tariffs could save Australian consumers more than 10 per cent a year on their electricity bills and achieve broader economic benefits of $1.8 billion, a […]
Advice for shopping for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia
Tesla’s Powerwall is the most sought-after home battery storage device in Australia, thanks in great part to its association with American electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors and its visionary chief […]
Home battery storage keeps the lights on in SA blackout
One of the promises of home battery storage was realised during South Australia’s historic blackout yesterday: Homes with batteries were able to keep the lights on even as surrounding building […]
JinkoSolar head predicts new era of growth for Aussie solar
Leading global solar module maker JinkoSolar says the Australian solar market is set for renewed growth in coming years as households add and expand systems to take advantage of battery […]
Could solar towers (with storage) replace Victoria’s ageing coal plants?
Analysts are scrambling to identify the possible impacts of the closure of Australia’s most polluting power station, and the withdrawal of more than 1500MW of coal-fired capacity from the Victorian […]
South Australia’s 16c/kWh solar feed-in tariff ends 30 September 2016
South Australia‘s 16c per kilowatt-hour (kWh) solar feed-in tariff will be the first state-backed incentive of its kind to cease payments. The 16c/kWh rate – referred to as the ‘Transitional […]
Community groups dismayed as market rules lag behind modernising grid
Consumer groups have cried foul over the latest ruling by the main policy maker in Australia’s energy markets, describing it as yet another roadblock to a transition to a clean […]
Commercial Solar PV Price Index: September 2016
The average price of a commercial solar installation fell to an all-time low of $1.26 per watt ($/W) between August and September, according to data from Solar Choice’s installer network […]
NSW to become battery storage hotspot after Solar Bonus expires, IPART survey confirms
A NSW survey on rooftop solar households in the state has confirmed what the battery storage industry has been predicting for months now – that the market for residential energy […]
How many times per day should you cycle your batteries?
There are a lot of different ways to potentially get value out of a home battery storage system. Something that not many storage system shoppers realises is that it is possible to charge/discharge […]
Localised energy trading could save over $1b in network costs: ISF study
Regulatory changes to reward local energy generators for their contributions to the grid could unlock savings of more than $1 billion in avoided network costs, a major Australian study has […]
One reason why solar is more expensive in the USA than Australia: Larger installer profits
According to the data, average margin for a rooftop solar installation in the United States market is 40 per cent. In Australia, some installers are struggling to get into double figures. […]
Solar Choice launches battery storage product lifespan comparison tool
Solar Choice published a new tool that aims to make Australia’s nascent battery storage market a bit easier to navigate. With dozens of products now available throughout the country but […]
Reflow’s ZCell residential battery installations to start next month
The first batch of residential battery storage systems from Australian company Redflow is due to be delivered to customers next month, after a shipment of the ZCell units arrived in […]
Global manufacturing glut could mean 20% drop in solar panel prices – within a year: BNEF
A glut in the global solar manufacturing market could deliver module prices as low as $US0.30/Watt in 2017 – a 20 per cent drop within a year, according to a […]
Battery storage for home solar systems: Compare system prices
Battery storage is the next step in the evolution of home solar energy systems. More and more Australian households are considering batteries – in combination with a solar PV system […]
Vic regulator recommends tariff changes to reflect ‘true value’ of solar
Victoria’s pricing regulator has published its final report on the Energy Value of Distributed Generation, recommending changes to tariff structures to reflect the true value of rooftop solar and other […]
Aquion ‘saltwater’ battery-powered nanogrid deployed for Chicago university
An innovative solar and salt-water battery storage powered AC/DC nanogrid has been installed at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, US. The nanogrid, which will power the IIT’s ‘s […]
Residential Solar PV Price Index – September 2016
Average residential solar system prices for September 2016 have matched the all-time low seen in December of last year, when prices dipped just below $1.60 per watt ($1.60/W). In other […]
Diamond Energy helps ‘The Block’ to go green with solar & storage
The Block’s ninety year old soap factory is now a leading light in the renewable renovation revolution, and Diamond Energy is proud to be part of it. The Logie-winning channel […]
100% renewables cheaper than grid connection for Kangaroo island: ISF
South Australia’s Kangaroo Island would likely find it cheaper to go 100 per cent renewable, with its own resources, rather than stay connected to the main grid, according to a detailed […]
SolarReserve unviels plans for six ‘solar tower’ plants in SA
US company SolarReserve has unveiled plans to build six large solar tower power plants with molten salt storage in South Australia, but warns that this won’t happen unless it can […]
Finally, a win-win solar solution for renters & landlords from Aussie startup Matter
Aussie technology company Matter has developed a platform to make it possible for renters and landlords alike to benefit from rooftop solar. They’ve done this by removing one of the […]
Close to 25% of Aussie businesses have already gone solar: Survey
Nearly one-quarter of Australian businesses claim to have already tapped rooftop solar as a measure to cut electricity costs and be more environmentally responsible, a new survey has found. The […]
Australia hits 5 gigawatts of installed solar PV
Australia has officially passed the 5 gigawatt mark on rooftop solar, according to new Clean Energy Regulator data that shows 1.58 million homes and businesses now have a total of […]
SA government opens tender to bring new (renewable) competitors into energy market
The South Australian government has announced a new energy tender designed to introduce new competition in the market and remove the stranglehold of the existing gas generators, renewing hope that […]
Solar Choice & Edify Energy win ARENA funding for Whitsunday Solar Farm, 70MW (DC)
Solar Choice and Edify Energy’s Whitsunday Solar Farm at Collinsville in North Queensland (70MW, DC) has been announced as one of twelve winners of federal grant funding under the Australian […]
Survey reveals Australians’ (sometimes incorrect) beliefs about rooftop solar
A survey has found that nearly one half of Australian households – both those with solar panels and those considering it – expect a pay-back on their investment within 5 […]
ARENA board proposes compromise on funding cuts to maintain critical research commitments
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency board is believed to have proposed a compromise on its funding position, in a bid to continue its support of critical research and early stage […]
New electricity market rule a mixed bag for distributed battery storage
Australia’s main energy market policy maker has okayed a rule change that could accelerate the use of battery storage for grid stability, as more renewables enter the market. The Australian […]
