In December, Australian households and small businesses saw a surge in rooftop solar capacity and home battery installations, adding a record 4.3 gigawatt hours of storage capacity in 2025. The market was booming for both residential and commercial scale rooftop systems, with a record monthly capacity of 328 megawatts added in December alone. The home battery market thrived, with 42,000 new systems registered in December and a total of 184,000 installed in 2025. Changes to battery rebates are expected to impact demand in early 2026, as the average size of rooftop solar systems has increased to 9.64 kW, reflecting a trend towards self consumption.
Tag: Australia
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Australia’s most powerful turbines unveiled as fourth wind farm reaches financial close in Xmas flurry
The Palmer wind project in South Australia is set to feature the most powerful wind turbines in Australia, with a capacity of 288 MW, reducing the number of turbines needed while still generating the same amount of green energy. The project, financed by Vestas and set to be completed by 2027, is part of South Australia's goal to achieve 100 per cent "net" renewables. Located in a strong wind resource area on cleared farmland, the project will benefit local communities and First Nations people with over $13 million in community benefits planned. South Australia's renewable energy transition is being led by projects like Palmer, with a current wind and solar share of around 75 per cent.
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2025 Ends with an Uptick in Australian Plugin Vehicle Sales
In December 2025, Australia experienced a record high EV penetration rate, with electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for 8.3% of the total car market. The market share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) has been steadily increasing, with BEVs reaching 9% and PHEVs reaching 4.6% in 2025. Chinese brands like BYD and Zeekr are dominating the market, with more models expected to be launched in 2026. The increasing adoption of EVs is expected to bring significant changes to the petrol car ecosystem and have an impact on the national Balance of Payments. The future looks promising for electric vehicles in Australia as we move into 2026.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/10/2025-ends-with-an-uptick-in-australian-plugin-vehicle-sales/
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Last of 1,500 steel towers in Australia’s largest transmission project erected finally erected
Australia's largest energy transmission project, EnergyConnect, has reached a major milestone with the completion of over 1500 steel towers across NSW, Victoria, and South Australia. Despite delays and cost blowouts, the project aims to connect the power grids of three states, supporting Australia's renewable energy and emissions targets. Workers are assembling and erecting towers weighing between 20,000kg to 60,000kg, suspended 65m off the ground. Scheduled for completion by late 2026, EnergyConnect will accelerate Australia's renewable energy transition and strengthen the national grid.
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Electric Buses Prove Their Worth Down Under
Transport for New South Wales and Adelaide are leading the way in Australia's transition to electric buses, with successful trials and fleet conversions underway. The use of regenerative braking and renewable energy sources are key components in reducing carbon emissions and creating a sustainable public transport network. Volvo's introduction of the BZR Electric coach chassis further emphasizes the shift towards responsible and zero-emission transportation solutions. These developments showcase the potential for electric buses to not only reduce emissions but also provide a more comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers and drivers alike.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/28/electric-buses-prove-their-worth-down-under/
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Charting The Changes That Will Lead To Renewable Energy Dominance In 2026
Bill McKibben, a climate realist, acknowledges the dire state of the planet due to global warming but sees hope in the increasing use of alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. He notes the significant progress made in countries like China and Australia in transitioning to renewable energy. McKibben emphasizes the importance of shifting away from fossil fuels towards clean energy solutions to combat the climate crisis. The article also touches on the challenges posed by the current capitalist system that benefits from the extraction and distribution of fossil fuels. The shift towards renewable energy is noted, with examples like China exporting more green technologies than fossil fuels, and the potential for a more sustainable and equitable energy future is emphasized.
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Flow Power reaches financial close on its first stand-alone big battery, in Victorian coal country
Australia renewables company Flow Power has secured financing for its largest project to date, the Bennett's Creek Battery in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. The 100MW and 223MWh battery energy storage system will be located near the site of the former Hazelwood coal plant, aiming to pair long-term solar and wind power purchase agreements with large-scale storage for a reliable renewable energy supply. Construction will be completed in 2028, with a focus on community benefit initiatives and innovative retail offerings, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.
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Neoen begins construction of another big battery, first in world to deploy Tesla Megablock technology
Neoen Australia has commenced construction on the Goyder battery project in South Australia, utilizing Tesla's new Megablock product to create a 226 MW, 866 MWh battery that will power BHP's Olympic Dam mining operations. This project is part of Neoen's efforts to lead in battery storage projects in Australia and contribute to the energy transition by lowering costs for grid-level storage by up to 40%. With planning approval for up to 900 MW of capacity and 3,600 MWh, the Goyder battery could potentially become part of Australia's largest hybrid project, integrating large scale solar and expanded wind farms. Neoen's projects, including the Goyder battery, are crucial in South Australia's aim to achieve 100% "net" renewables by 2027.
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Korea drops secures grid connection approval for its first big battery in Australia
Hanwha Energy Australia's 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system in southeast Queensland has received grid connection approval, aiming to store surplus solar energy and support 15,000 households during peak demand. The project will provide critical grid services, enhancing Queensland's grid resilience and supporting renewable energy growth for a more sustainable power system. Additionally, Hanwha Energy Australia is actively involved in other clean energy projects across Australia.
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Solar, wind and storage: stable prices, stable grid
Australia's rapid expansion of solar and wind energy has not increased wholesale electricity prices since 2016, making it a global renewable energy leader. Solar and wind are displacing coal and gas, meeting all growth in demand, with stable grid infrastructure and high rooftop solar adoption rates contributing to falling wholesale prices. Rooftop solar systems in Australia cost $6,000 and last 20 years, with an annual electricity output of 1200-1400 kWh per kW, driving widespread adoption at a low cost of 3 US-cents per kWh. All-electric solar homes in Australia have zero gas and petrol bills, with large energy storage options available, and the quick installation and high resilience of Australian rooftop solar systems make them a promising solution for climate experts.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/19/solar-wind-and-storage-stable-prices-stable-grid/