• humanspiral@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    The big lie she tried to repeat is that NEW fossil plants are cheaper than renewables. In 2019, in US, new FF peaker (cheapest) plants cost over $1/watt, while solar was under $1/watt. FF plants have operating and fuel costs. Solar panels have since dropped 20c/watt since then.

    The Australian market has the most developed home solar costs/penetration in the world. It is successful because utility, largely legacy, power is expensive/extortionist. AUS wholesale electricity market averages between 11c to 20c per kwh.

    $1/w solar provides a 3% yield/year at under 2c/kwh in AUS for 30 years, which has very high solar production capacity. LFP batteries, now down to 10c/watt also has a 30 year lifespan at 4 hours storage, and is 3% yield at 1c/kwh discharge - charge margin.

    6% interest rates means 6c/kwh from solar and 3c/kwh from batteries pays for project with full leverage. Free money at just 10c/kwh revenue. Winfalls at higher revenue rates. Actual solar costs are below $1/watt and interest rates below 6%, and what needs to improve.

    As for jobs, new energy is jobs. Adding x gw of solar per year is permanent jobs even if there is little operating staff. Growing x each year is permanent job increases every year.

    • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Australia is amazing for solar. I wish Canada would step up and fix our damn regulations. It’s insanely more expensive to install household rooftop solar here vs Australia. I’m so jealous!

      • humanspiral@lemmy.ca
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        2 days ago

        Cost is entirely based on monopoly utility power, and their power to refuse connection. Australia does have a good 40%+ solar production advantage over Canada though, but Canada does have “net pricing” which banks long summer surpluses for winter.

      • angeredkitten@slrpnk.net
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        1 day ago

        It’s either sadism or greed with the right. Flip a coin.

        It’s probably more greed in this context though.