Australia's Solar Energy Generation Capacity
Peter Charnock
Managing Director leading innovation in Biotechnology, Enterprise Software and SaaS
MW vs MWh - Reliability
MW is the most common used statistic, which makes sense from an engineering perspective. If not enough MW are provided to the system, the system shuts down. The challenge of MW statistics, when it comes to capacity planning, is it does not allow for available capacity. For example, if the sun is not shining, available capacity is zero MW.
In CSIRO's latest GenCost report, average available capacity for Solar was estimated to be 30%. AEMO's own reporting suggest reliability contribution of 24% for Solar.
Decomissioning
Solar plants currently have an estimated life-span of 20-30 years. It is possible greater durability will be obtained as the technology matures. But in the lifetime of a Hydro/Pumped Hydro, Coal, Gas or Nuclear generator, Solar will need to be replaced 2-3 times.
Total lifetime costs need to include initial installation, operation, decommissioning and waste disposal.
Capacity Planning
Modelling from 2015 to 2050 demonstrates considerable progress in Solar generation capacity; but forward modelling is not published, or opaque? Facts-based discussion would help the community; explicit publication of planned sites, by individual site (unaggregated) would assist in public discussion.
Retired Family Medicine Practitioner, was self employed.
6moYou (possibly intentionally) excluded wind from your post. It too falls well short because its reliable lifespan is apparently even shorter than solar, and just as significant in costs of production, decommissioning and recycling! Seems that despite some concerns, we would do better to use our natural resources as safely and expeditiously as we can to generate our power needs to minimise both environmental and economic harms.