Today, the Australian large-scale solar segment walks a tricky line between a congested grid and resulting curtailment on the one hand, and consistently low daytime electricity prices on the other. Some states, particularly South Australia, are already hitting the upper limits of how much variable renewable energy can be transmitted over the country’s long, skinny network, the result being that Australia’s large-scale solar sector is in a crucial stage of innovation and evolution.
Far from doomed, new opportunities for large-scale solar projects abound, most notably in the coupling of projects with battery storage and the emerging market for green hydrogen production. There is also a growing market for off-grid projects as the mining industry moves to decarbonize and steel, aluminum, and other industries look to revamp their relevance in a green new world.
Despite much stalling at the federal level, Australia brought its nationwide 2050 net-zero plan to the COP-26 conference in Glasgow, the backbone of which is “ultra-low-cost” solar production with a stretch goal set for at less than $15 per megawatt-hour, or 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Obviously then, solar’s day in the sun is far from over. Quite the contrary, it is now time for Australia’s world-leading solar industry to redouble its efforts and supersize its scale.
Australia’s leadership in the solar space means the future of Australia’s large-scale market is a strong indicator of global development. In this pv magazine Webinar, we will be joined by leading industry professionals with experience across every aspect of Australia’s multifaceted large-scale solar market, considering the current state of affairs and the challenges facing a new wave of large-scale development Down Under, the next phase of large-scale development driven by energy storage and green hydrogen and the new world of big modules and innovative designs, and off-grid solutions.
Attendees will have the opportunity to put their questions to the speakers and become part of the discussion. Bella Peacock, Editor at pv magazine Australia, and Blake Matich, Editor at pv magazine will be the co-moderators of this webinar.
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