This Week in Solar: Solar Trust Centre Weekly Recap

Here are some solar news stories you may have missed from this week. Click on the links to read these stories in more detail.

1. Bendigo Planning To Power Itself With Underground Hydropower

Ken Mann, a retired engineer, and Bendigo Sustainability Group volunteer saw the potential. He said the surplus solar power can be used to pump water up to a water reservoir.

2. Biofuel Technology Is Being Developed by Australian Researchers

Ethanol Technologies (Ethtec) has received a $11.9 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and partnerships with the University of Newcastle, Muswellbrook Shire Council, and Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources.

3. Solar and Energy Bodies Combine To Form New Energy Council

The Energy Storage Council and the Australian Solar Council have merged and formed the Smart Energy Council. The new council is the new industry body for solar, storage and smart energy technology and industries.

4. Tesla’s Giant Lithium Battery In South Australia is Complete

The Tesla Powerpack battery array has been installed alongside the French company Neoen’s Hornsdale windfarm near Jamestown in South Australia’s mid-north region.

5. Australian Electricity Prices Go Up, Rooftop Solar Prices Go Down

High electricity prices have driven an uptake on rooftop solar with orders and installations at their 2nd highest levels.

6. SMA Australia To Supply 1.2GW of Inverter Power To Solar Projects

SMA Australia has agreed to a set of deals to supply more than 1.2 gigawatts of inverter power to around 20 utility scale solar PV projects in the country.

7. National Energy Guaranteed To Suffer If Stricter 2030 Emissions Reduction Target is Overlooked

The proposed National Energy Guarantee program will see solar and wind investments go down if PM Malcolm Turnbull overlooks the stricter 2030 emissions reduction target.

8. Goldman Sachs and BHP Billiton Ltd Supports Solar Project for Australian Banana Plantation

The project is being developed by Conergy Asia & ME Pte. Ltd. BHP is expanding its interest in solar power in Chile, the United States and Australia, Goldman has been investing in renewable across Asia and is currently arranging a $1 billion energy bond in Japan.