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System will include 3.4m solar panels and 1.1m batteries, with operations set to begin by end of 2017

A huge $1bn solar farm and battery project will be built and ready to operate in South Australia’s Riverland region by the end of the year.

Related: Elon Musk, meet Port Augusta: four renewable energy projects ready to go

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Free reusables, 25p charge on disposables and green slogans in cafes could cut some of 2.5bn cups thrown away each year, finds study

Incentives such as a tax on disposable coffee cups or free reuseable replacements could help cut the number thrown away in the UK every year by between 50m and 300m, according to new research.

An estimated 2.5bn throwaway coffee cups are used in the UK every year by consumers buying coffee from chains and cafes, creating approximately 25,000 tonnes of waste.

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Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire Spring hasn’t ignited its neighbours but this red-barked giant is vibrant in the sunlight

A banner of red falls amid ranks of anaemic grey: if sentient, this tree would have to be either mortified or cocksure, cutting such a bold dash in demure company. I shamble through ankle-snagging greenery and brownery as if through stubborn snow. My steps are crisp and disturb a sweet smell.

I get to the tree. It’s magnificent: 40 metres at least. It seems all trunk, until odd, brief branches pop from its bark, lichen-greened serpents from a mythical head. Higher, and finally, the serpent branches thicken and burst with evergreen.

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Video provided by Coalition Against Duck Shooting shows muddy pits full of dead birds they allege were shot and dumped by hunters who exceeded their bag limit on the opening weekend of Victoria’s duck hunting season

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The roar of the furnaces, the rattle of the conveyors, and the occasional whoop of a siren marked out both day and night at Hazelwood. The distant hum has settled to a whisper.

Hazelwood closure is most potent symbol of an energy market that has failed consumers. The future is localised generation, and faster, cleaner, cheaper power. The incumbents need to learn to adapt, and so do the politicians.

Anheuser-Busch may be the largest company to date to take a 100% renewable energy pledge.

Nuvation launches new brand providing electronic hardware and software solutions for large-scale battery energy storage.

Lyon Group says ready to go on $1bn solar PV and battery storage plant in South Australia, along with another $400m project near Roxby Downs.

Statement by Clean Energy Regulator Chair Chloe Munro.

NEXTracker and Array Technologies remain far and away the leading suppliers of PV tracker systems globally.

Cash-strapped Norfolk Island looking to storage to mop up excess solar PV, reduce growing "solar debt" and slash its high electricity costs.

Brisbane-based internet-of-things technology company Redback cracks international market with MOU for Dubai South energy management trial.

US company with big solar thermal plans for Australia signs MOU to co-develop 70MW PV farm in NSW.

Global leader in solar tracking solutions continues international expansion with new office in Sydney.

The global food trade is depleting water sources quicker than they can naturally be refilled in many places.

California's SpaceX company expects to make a piece of history later when it re-flies a Falcon rocket.

British gardens also saw a ‘waxwing winter’ in this winter’s Big Garden Birdwatch, conservationists say

The number of robins visiting gardens hit a 20-year high in this winter’s Big Garden Birdwatch, conservationists said.

Average numbers of the robin seen in gardens were up to their highest levels since 1986, making it the seventh most commonly seen bird in the citizen science survey in January.

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In the latest in our series on Australian green energy projects, we find out how the ACT is transitioning to 100% renewable energy, aided by the country’s largest community-owned solar farm

• How the ‘nonna effect’ got Darebin’s pensioners signing up to solar
• How Daylesford’s windfarm took back the power

As Australia remains mired in a broken debate about the supposed dangers of renewable energy, some states and territories are ignoring the controversy and steaming ahead.

While Australia is far from the renewable capital of the world, the Australian Capital Territory may soon be among the world’s top renewable energy regions. And as it transitions, the ACT is demonstrating the benefits of the renewables boom to the rest of the country.

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Helped by the country’s largest community-owned solar farm, Australia’s capital is making plans to provide all its energy from renewables. Wind turbines now being built around Canberra and the 1.2MW community-owned solar farm will ensure the ACT meets its 2020 goal. About 600 locals have a share in the scheme

• Renewables roadshow: how Canberra took lead in renewable energy race

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