This Week in Solar: Renewable Energy Booming in Australia

1. Solar Trust Centre: Solar Glossary

If you are new to solar, read this Solar Trust Centre article to help you gain an understanding on key terms commonly used in the world of solar.

2. Australia’s record year for investment and generation in renewable energy

The CEC estimates this strong investment activity amounted to $4.3 billion in 2019, and supported the creation of more than 4,000 new jobs in the sector.

3. Australian states’ solar-plus-storage plans set example that ‘all of country should follow’

Developer Neoen’s 129MWh Hornsdale project in South Australia, using Tesla Powerpack battery systems, has been called an ‘undoubted success’.

4. Clean energy trends upwards in Australia despite COVID-19

Australia’s seeing some significant shifts in clean energy, with a steep uptake now taking place in all corners.

5. Australian renewable energy jobs surged to new record levels in 2018-19

Almost all of the growth in employment occurred within the solar and wind industries, with the small and large scale solar industries representing around two-thirds of the entire renewables sector in terms of employment.

6. IRENA: Solar again the star as renewables score 72% of global additions in 2019

Solar dominated again the annual green energy addition charts of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) last year.
Figures released by the global body this week suggest 176GW was installed across all renewable technologies worldwide in 2019.

7. ARENA funded project for all-in-one battery

An ARENA backed project has resulted in an all-in-one battery storage that could simplify batteries for a number of applications. Australian-based Relectrify was behind the project which could see the inverter and battery management system combined in one unit.

8. Government funding support for clean energy startups

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $480,000 in funding over the next 12 months to support the Australian startup acceleration program designed to assist clean energy entrepreneurs.

9. Power chief pushes home battery stimulus to aid virus recovery

Australia’s top power provider is in talks with the government recommending subsidies for home batteries and smart meters in a post-lockdown stimulus package.