Australian Politics Forum - Solar cheaper than fossil fuels

John Smith

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Solar cheaper than fossil fuels
Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 1:03pm

Solar power cheaper than fossil fuels in most capital cities: Climate Council

Solar energy is now cheaper in Australia than retail power prices in most capital cities after dropping 58 per cent in the past five years, the Climate Council says in a new report.

The cost is predicted to fall a further 40 per cent to 70 per cent by 2040, the report said, with the lower price expected to drive an uptake in usage.

Industrial-scale solar plants were also providing cheaper power than new coal plants, the council said.

Climate Council chief executive officer Amanda McKenzie said 20 solar power plants were slated to be built around Australia.

"In Australia, solar is now cheaper than new fossil fuels and nuclear power, and that's been a big shift in the last few years," she said.

"In the pipeline, we're seeing another 3,700 megawatts of solar energy coming online in the next few years, so that's roughly equivalent to powering 600,000 households."

The solar industry was surging worldwide, the report said, with countries including China, the US and Japan at the forefront of solar technology.
Solar power 'generated where it's used'

Australia is expected to reach about 20 gigawatts of solar generation in the next two decades — about a third of current total power generation.

The first national audit of batteries that store solar power showed almost 7,000 were installed in Australian homes last year, with the number expected to triple this year.

Climate councillor Andrew Stock said solar power was more secure from extreme weather events, because it was generated where it was used, adding about 30 per cent of homes in Queensland and South Australia had solar panels installed on their rooftops.

"The era of coal is over and global investment has moved firmly to renewable energy," he said.

"Solar power is cheaper, has no fuel costs, is non-polluting and it is clear that it will be a key of Australia's future."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-23/solar-power-cheaper-than-coal-climate-coun...

It's time the libs woke up and stopped dragging us back to last century.

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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.

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lee Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 16422 Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #1 - Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 1:07pm Strange that they don't include normal older style coal generation plants in the cost comparison. And of course they don't mention subsidies. Edit: The ABC's link to the Climate Council report is broken and it does not appear on their (CC's) website.
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John Smith Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 72248 Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #2 - Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 5:20pm where have all the fans of coal run off to?
Back to top	Our esteemed leader: I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus. IP Logged

Jovial Monk Gold Member Offline Dogs not cats! Posts: 43638 Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #3 - Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 5:25pm Next step is to start linking the renewable energy generators into a grid with ultrahigh DC voltage.
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Redmond Neck Gold Member Offline OzPolitic Posts: 20712 ACT Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #4 - Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 5:31pm Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 5:25pm: Next step is to start linking the renewable energy generators into a grid with ultrahigh DC voltage. For storage on large scale battery?
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Jovial Monk Gold Member Offline Dogs not cats! Posts: 43638 Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #5 - Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 6:43pm So if wind is lacking in one place power from windmills/solar far away can be sent to make up the shortfall. Storage could be involved in this too. Still see nuclear as backup.
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miketrees Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 6488 Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #6 - Feb 23^rd, 2017 at 6:43pm The cost is predicted to fall a further 40 per cent to 70 per cent by 2040, So we can all relax and you all can STFU
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issuevoter Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 9200 The Great State of Mind Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #7 - Feb 24^th, 2017 at 8:21am With such a huge area of uninterrupted sunlight, Australia should run on solar power, making all other systems redundant.
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Gordon Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 20230 Gordon Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #8 - Feb 24^th, 2017 at 8:25am Along with pumped hydro
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Jovial Monk Gold Member Offline Dogs not cats! Posts: 43638 Gender:	Re: Solar cheaper than fossil fuels Reply #9 - Feb 24^th, 2017 at 8:28am Pumped hydro is storage.
Back to top	Get the vaxx! 💉💉 If you don’t like abortions ignore them like you do school shootings. IP Logged