First Solar has begun construction on what will be Australia’s first utility-scale PV project once it reaches completions, Located near Geraldton, the 10MW (AC) Greenough River Solar Farm will be built over a nine-month period, with local civil contractor WBHO Civil providing Phase 1 construction services. Civil work on the project began November 4, with on-site construction for structural supports and above ground electrical work following soon.
Silex Systems’ subsidiary, Silex Solar, revealed plans to restructure its silicon PV panel business located at Sydney Olympic Park, a facility it bought a few years ago from BP Solar. Changes will revolve around management and operations, which the company hopes will strengthen its position in the business.
Origin Energy, an Australian-based energy retailer, has signed a module supply deal with Trina Solar. The contract calls for Trina Solar to provide approximately 22MW of PV modules over the next 12 months, starting in the third quarter. The modules are intended for residential projects.
Australia's Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet has revealed that the country's subsidies for households that install solar panels will end a year earlier than planned. The Solar Credits Scheme, originally implemented in 2008, which gives households up to five times more renewable energy credits for the electricity generated by their solar systems, will now end in mid-2014, with the credit 'multiplier' reduced every year until that date.
SunPower has completed a 505kW solar power installation for Horizon Power, the government-owned utility providing power to remote and regional communities and resource operations in Western Australia. The project, which marks the largest solar tracking system installation in the country, will power the world's first high penetration, hybrid solar-diesel power station.
The government of Western Australia has finalized the long-awaited feed-in tariff. Energy minister Peter Collier has announced State Budget funding of AUS$23million to introduce the residential net feed-in tariff scheme, providing a subsidy to householders with new and existing photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro systems. The scheme, which will pay out over a period of 10 years, will open for applications from July 1, with payments to be made from August 1.
The Australian Federal Government announced its 2010/2011 budget on May 11, showing strong support for renewable energy. The Australian Greens leader, Bob Brown, announced a new AUS$652 million Renewable Energy Future Fund, which will be part of an expanded AUS$5.1 billion Clean Energy Initiative.
Suntech has supplied 240 solar panels for a 48kW rooftop installation on the Town Hall in Sydney, Australia. The installation marks the first use of Suntech's Pluto technology in the country.
South Australia has entered the renewable energy news twice this week, first announcing the opening of its largest PV systems in Adelaide Showground and later, the less positive warning published in Adelaide Now, from welfare groups that electricity prices for those in the area, could potentially double within five years.
