Efforts are underway in Australia to enable renters and apartment dwellers to install solar and battery systems on their balconies, following examples from Europe, India, South Korea, and Utah. The main challenge lies in changing regulations to ensure safety and compliance with electrical standards, with testing being conducted on balcony batteries for backup power during outages. Various organizations and governments are working to overcome legal and regulatory barriers to make plug-in balcony solar and batteries a reality in Australia. Advocates are pushing for regulatory changes to make balcony solar more accessible, highlighting benefits such as running critical devices during power cuts and tapping into dynamic tariff pricing. Despite challenges like outdated technology and conservative committees, there is potential for government intervention to drive progress towards clean energy solutions in Australia.
Tag: Australia
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State owned utility’s third big battery officially opened, and is “re-rated” to be the biggest in Australia
Synergy has opened the Collie battery, the largest battery project in Australia with 2,400 MWh of storage capacity, as part of a transition away from coal-fired generators by the end of the decade. This battery will capture wind and solar energy to power homes when needed, contributing to a renewable energy mix. The town of Collie now hosts the two biggest batteries in Australia, solidifying its role in powering Western Australia's electricity system with clean energy solutions.
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Danish giant lodges EPBC referral for first of its two Gippsland offshore wind projects
Danish offshore wind developer Orsted has applied for the 2.8 GW Gippsland 1 project off the coast of Victoria, Australia, as part of the state's plan to transition to renewables and reach a 95% renewables target by 2035. The project involves installing up to 200 turbines and laying export cables over 90-120km in three to four years, with feasibility studies expected to be finished by the end of 2027. Challenges include the project's location 56km offshore, which makes cabling plans more costly and complicated. Multiple permissions are required, including EPBC approval, federal licenses, state environmental approval, and planning approval, with community concerns focusing on protecting coastal and marine areas, coexistence with commercial fishing, and understanding Indigenous values. Orsted emphasizes the importance of addressing these themes in their project development to ensure successful implementation.
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A grid with no smokestacks: Octopus snaps up biggest battery project and solar hybrid in push to replace coal
Octopus Australia, a leading clean energy investment company, has acquired two major battery projects in Australia – one in NSW and the other in Queensland, with large-scale storage capacity and solar-battery hybrid systems. The company aims to replace coal with clean energy solutions like solar, wind, and batteries, positioning themselves as a key player in the renewable energy market. Octopus plans to build a "ring of batteries" around Sydney and remains optimistic about the market in Queensland. They prioritize local community involvement, job creation, and building long-term relationships while continuing to grow their portfolio and deliver on their promises in the renewable energy sector.
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Australian renewables exceed 50% of power supply in Q4
Renewable generation in Australia reached over 50% in the fourth quarter of 2025, leading to lower wholesale power prices and improved grid reliability during extreme weather events. Batteries played a key role in stabilizing energy supply, with record levels of battery output. The Cheaper Home Batteries scheme has spurred rapid battery installations, supporting the growth of renewable energy infrastructure. The transition to a low-cost, clean, firmed renewables powered energy system is crucial for grid reliability, as coal power becomes more unreliable. The unstoppable energy system transformation is highlighted by the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, with renewable energy capacity additions surpassing nuclear additions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/02/australian-renewables-exceed-50-of-power-supply-in-q4/
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Smart Commercial to roll out prefab vertical rooftop PV system
Smart Commercial Energy and Over Easy Solar have collaborated to introduce a new prefabricated vertical rooftop solar system in the Australian market. The system features pre-assembled and pre-racked bifacial panels that can be easily installed on buildings where traditional rooftop solar is not feasible. The lightweight design and simple installation process make it suitable for commercial buildings with load-bearing limits or design constraints. Over Easy, a company founded in 2021, has installed over 1.3 MW of its VPUs in about 40 buildings across 13 countries, collecting crucial data on performance, installation efficiency, structural impact, and long-term suitability under Australian conditions. This innovative system can complement existing rooftop solar systems by shifting generation towards the morning and afternoon, improving overall system economics, and with Australia's high solar energy density, it is a relevant market for this technology in addressing climate change.
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Australian households add record amounts of rooftop PV, as home battery installations top 4.3 GWh
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.
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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.