Snowy Hydro has signed eight wind and solar contracts in a bid to reduce its energy prices. The government-backed energy provider says the new types of renewable generation will firm up its existing power production. Hydropower of course is the most traditional renewable source of electricity. It will also help deliver cheaper power to 500,000 households.
A classroom at a Brisbane state school is successfully running off-grid after a solar panel and battery installation. The Bracken Ridge State High classroom powers itself with a rooftop solar installation backed by a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery. The solar panels generate electricity required by the classroom during the day. Then the battery stores surplus power for later use.
A report by the Queensland Competition Authority shows households with rooftop solar are benefiting from higher Queensland solar feed-in tariffs (FiTs) in 2018 more than previous years.
South Australians can now apply for energy storage grants of up to $6,000 under the South Australian Home Battery Scheme. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will help eligible households fund the remaining cost of a solar battery installation. Low cost loans are also available to fund rooftop solar power systems if applicants don’t already have one.