A kilometre-long solar road has been installed in the Chinese city of Jinan as the country looks to take a leading role in the global energy transition. The road uses 5875 square metres of solar panels that are installed under a glass-like surface that replaces more traditional asphalt. While the concept of solar roads is still in its infancy – with issues such as cost and durability preventing their widespread adoption – a number of countries around the world are investigating the technology, with the Netherlands installing a solar footpath in 2014 and Japan planning to install solar roads as part of its commitment to make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics environmentally sustainable.

Construction activity has started at the site of what will be the 121- megawatt Yarranlea Solar Farm, west of Toowoomba in Queensland. Yarranlea Solar Farm will be developed in four stages and once completed, the project will generate enough electricity to supply the energy needs of the equivalent of up to 32,000 homes.

Pop-up mobile solar PV could soon replace diesel generators as temporary power supply for military operations, disaster relief efforts and music festivals, thanks to an Australian-made innovation.

Mars Australia is going 100 per cent renewables, and will source all the power for its six Australian factories and two offices from a 200MW solar farm in Victoria.