South Australia Complete Its Solar Power Subsidies Test

South Australia has stepped itself into the future. For around an hour on Oct. 11, the state of South Australia had the entirety of its energy demand met by solar power — a world-first for a jurisdiction of its size. It’s summer now in SA as October. 

As IEM reported, solar power plants are now spending the lowest cost around the world’s all kinds of power stations. In the past decade, the declining cost of solar power has contributed a lot to the increase of the plants’ profit. With the ideal returns, as well as the success of 100-megawatt battery, invested by Elon Musk, have convinced investors and bring much capital into solar power projects.

Solar power — where energy from the sun is converted into electricity or used to heat substances like air or water — is incredibly popular in South Australia, with a third of all homes decked out with rooftop panels, and 3 industrial-scale solar power plants which produce 300 megawatt power. The state now meets half of its power demands by wind and solar projects. And as to conserve the expensive gas, the state is looking forward to propelling its anticipated milestone of “net” 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

Another 9 smaller solar power farms and 2 magnificent giant battery are under progressing in the state.

The local’s last coal-fired power plant has been shut down in 2016. Australia has rich coal resource but 70% of them are exploited for export.

SA is famous for a consistence of “power-down”, stressing the state’s government to promote renewable energy years ago.

The capital of South Australia is located in Adelaide, with a population of 1.76 million (approximately equivalent to Idaho or West Virginia). The area is equal to the total area of Texas plus Arizona. Yes, it is bigger than Texas. But most of the state is arid desert, and Adelaide has 77% of the population.

Adelaide was originally inhabited by the aboriginal Kaurna people, who were called Tarndanyangga. Now it is as populous as San Diego.