Via Inverse: There is no question that solar power is on the rise in Australia, and South Australia could get all of its energy from rooftop solar panels by the year 2023, according to Matthew Warren, CEO of the Australian Energy Council, as more people are shifting to renewable energy sources.
This is good news for the environment, but it can also lead to problems as the state’s existing power infrastructure is left trying to keep up.
Rooftop solar is becoming more popular around the world. The United States is expected to hit 2 million installations by 2018, due to a mix of environmental concerns as well as tax credits and other financial incentives for going green.
Almost 25% of homes in South Australia presently have solar panels installed, but Warren said that could change as traditional power grows more expensive. As more people use solar power, the current grid has to raise its costs to remain stable, which pushes more people to install solar panels on their roofs.
This is already causing problems for the electric grid. AEC said that 41% of South Australia’s electricity comes from wind and solar power, which has not only led to a series of technical challenges but also increased wholesale price volatility as the state rebalances its supply from dispatchable plant to intermittent generation.
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Featured Image Credit: A Siegel