A quiet solar “revolution” in Australia over the past three years means 11% of the population now use PV technology, a study by the country’s Climate Commission claims.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched a new programme under its inaugural General Funding Strategy which aims to drive renewable energy adoption in regional and remote areas in Australia.
First Solar noted that, in its opinion, Australia is four years behind the US in the development of large solar farms. In a report by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, it was reported that the company is looking to help Australia build up its solar industry, specifically with a 10MW project that First Solar is partnering on with General Electric.
Australian renewable energy firm Epuron has acquired the 1MW Uterne PV plant — which is said to be Australia’s largest tracking solar power plant — from US PV manufacturer SunPower Corporation. The acquisition was financed by Australian financial services company Commonwealth Bank, making it the country’s first major bank to support a solar project of this size.
China Sunergy announced that it had recently signed a 7.8MW solar modules sales contract with the energy unit of Urban Group Australia, Urban Group Energy. The solar modules are scheduled to complete delivery by the end of August. China Sunergy noted that during Q1 2012, Australia accounted for 18% of its total shipments.
Infigen has been chosen to construct a 1MW PV plant with integrated storage, the company has announced. The Capital East solar farm will be built in New South Wales (NSW) and it will be the first in Australia to be registered with the National Electricity Market (NEM) as well as Infigen’s first PV project in operation.
