---
title: "This Week in Solar: The Ins and Outs of Off-Grid Solar, Record levels of renewable energy drive down electricity prices across Australia"
description: Here’s your weekly dose of solar knowledge and renewable energy. Read more about the Ins and Outs of Off-Grid Solar, Record levels of renewable energy drive down electricity prices across Australia.
---

[Solar Trust Centre | Solar and Renewable Energy News ](https://www.solartrustcentre.com/blog)

# [This Week in Solar: The Ins and Outs of Off-Grid Solar, Record levels of renewable energy drive down electricity prices across Australia](https://www.solartrustcentre.com/blog/this-week-in-solar-the-ins-and-outs-of-off-grid-solar-record-levels-of-renewable-energy-drive-down-electricity-prices-across-australia)

 Written by [Solar Trust Centre Team](https://www.solartrustcentre.com/blog/author/solar-trust-centre-team) | Nov 2, 2021 5:26:58 PM

## [1. The Ins and Outs of Off-grid Solar](https://solartrustcentre.com.au/the-ins-and-outs-of-off-grid-solar/)

 Off-grid solar appeals to many people, for many reasons. There is often a desire to go an extra step in support of solar power. To have some additional protection from grid issues. There can also just be the desire to establish a power source that’s for one household alone and 100% independent of the grid.

But there’s much more to off-grid solar than simply adding a few more panels and disconnecting from the grid. Read our latest blog and let’s now go through the ins and outs of off-grid solar.

## [2. Record levels of renewable energy drive down electricity prices across Australia](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/22/record-renewables-drive-down-electricity-prices-across-australia)

Record levels of renewable energy drove down electricity prices across Australia in the September quarter, with prices zero or negative for one-sixth of the time, the Australian Energy Market Operator has said in its latest report.

## [3. Solar farm output overloads national grid, sparking calls for accelerated transmission](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-23/solar-farm-overload-heats-up-the-national-grid/100561218)

There has been a seismic shift in Australia’s electricity network as a glut of solar energy turns the spotlight on an overwhelmed national power grid.

As homeowners embrace rooftop panels like a national sport and solar farms pop up across the country, renewable power output is outpacing the means of transmission.

## [4. Rio Tinto outlines 6GW Australia renewables plan](https://renews.biz/73040/rio-tinto-outlines-6gw-australia-renewables-plan/)

Global mining giant Rio Tinto has outlined plans to decarbonize some of its Australian operations by using wind and solar power. 

It expects to spend around AUS$7.5bn (€4.8bn) indirect capital expenditure decarbonizing Rio Tinto’s assets from 2022 to 2030.

## [5. Proposed southern Alberta coal mine could become renewable energy complex instead](https://globalnews.ca/news/8284320/proposed-alberta-coal-mine-renewable-energy-complex/)

One of the Australian companies that had proposed bringing coal mining back to the eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains now says it may build a green hydrogen facility on the site instead.

## [6. Australian Solar Panel Manufacturing: Supply Security and Economic Growth](https://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/australian-solar-panel-manufacturing-supply-security-and-economic-growth/)

Australia’s only solar panel manufacturer, Tindo Solar in South Australia, has invested millions into a new factory and production line as it hopes to produce enough panels to meet the growing demand for Australian-made panels. Twenty years ago, Australia had a burgeoning solar manufacturing industry, but this was short-lived. China now accounts for roughly 70% of global solar panel production, compared to Australia’s dismal 0.3% share. However, with news of a China supply crunch, could local manufacturing provide a lucrative opportunity and a long-term solution for supply security?

[View full post](https://www.solartrustcentre.com/blog/this-week-in-solar-the-ins-and-outs-of-off-grid-solar-record-levels-of-renewable-energy-drive-down-electricity-prices-across-australia)

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