Rooftop solar alone generates more than half of all power used, as clear sunny days and low demand drive record-breaking surge

Sunshine and wind met 80.4% of demand on Australia’s main power grid on Saturday, setting a new high bar for renewable electricity.

Solar panels on rooftops provided more than half of the power used in the National electricity market, the grid that supplies the eastern states, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, for 30 minutes around lunchtime. This was complemented by solar and wind farms, and a small amount of hydro (1%). Fossil fuels, coal and gas, contributed 20%.

Continue reading…