australia

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will invest AU$11 million (US$6.9 million) in Australian solar technology company SunDrive Solar to support the commercial scale-up of SunDrive’s novel solar cell metallisation technology.

Trina Solar has signed an agreement with the MPower Group to supply modules and trackers for the latter’s 200MW solar portfolio in Australia.

Mining major Rio Tinto and Aboriginal energy partnership the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue the development of solar and wind projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

CleanCo Queensland is seeking expressions of interest to add 3GW of new solar and wind capacity to the company’s renewables portfolio.

Many large solar PV projects cross over First Nations land, and the representative body the First Nations Clean Energy Network (FNCEN) says that “proper and meaningful engagement with First Nations will be essential for the success of the renewable energy sector.”

If Australia does not want to lose its international competitiveness as a renewables producer, the government will have to invest AU$100 billion (US$64 billion) in the next ten years, according to the sector's trade body the Clean Energy Council.

Japanese corporation Sojitz and compatriot energy company Eneos has started operations at their 204MW Edenvale Solar park in Queensland.

Australian renewables developer Edify Energy has secured federal approval on a 600MW solar PV plant in Central Queensland, Australia.

New South Wales has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), making it the first REZ to reach the development “milestone”.

Grok Ventures has acquired all of the assets of SunCable, and reaffirmed its commitment the company’s original purpose.