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Tesla To Construct 'Virtual Solar Power Plant' Using 50,000 Homes (cleantechnica.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the on-the-grid dept.

Long-time Slashdot readers denbesten, haruchai, and Kant all submitted this story. CleanTechnica reports: Tesla and the government of South Australia have announced a stunning new project that could change how electricity is generated not only in Australia but in every country in the world. They plan to install rooftop solar system on 50,000 homes in the next four years and link them them together with grid storage facilities to create the largest virtual solar power plant in history. And here's the kicker: The rooftop solar systems will be free. The cost of the project will be recouped over time by selling the electricity generated to those who consume it.

"We will use people's homes as a way to generate energy for the South Australian grid, with participating households benefiting with significant savings in their energy bills," says South Australia's premier Jay Weatherill. "More renewable energy means cheaper power for all South Australians..." Price predicts utility bills for participating households will be slashed by 30%.
Electrek reports that the project will result in at least 650 MWh of additional energy storage capacity, and Tesla points out that "At key moments, the virtual power plant could provide as much capacity as a large gas turbine or coal power plant."

8 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. Great news! by sysop · · Score: 4, Informative

    This is great news for rental tenants and others who can't make the numbers work on a solar system. South Australians can register their interest at http://ourenergyplan.sa.gov.au/virtual-power-plant

    1. Re:Great news! by Falconhell · · Score: 5, Informative

      Indeed, I am in SA, and in the first year since my 2kw solar was installed at a cost of $4000 aus, I have saved $1000 on my power bills. I am producing more than I use to run aircon 24/7, but due to the low feed in rate, still have small bills of around $200 aud/ quarter for nightime use. Currently generating 90kw/h per week, and use 77 kwh per week. As the feed in is 11c per kwh and power is 30c per kwh, still get a bill, however when I get a battery, I expect bills to drop to supply charge only.

    2. Re:Great news! by VeryFluffyBunny · · Score: 3, Informative

      If you read the article, the first 24,000 homes are low-income housing owned by housing trusts. If they're anything like the housing trusts that I'm familiar with, they'll most certainly be on board. Housing trusts serve to house the more vulnerable members of society, not to turn a profit. They're highly unlikely to take advantage of their tenants. In fact, any profits they do make, they usually put into building more low-income housing. Not all countries rape their poor like the Americans do.

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      Debate is a form of harassment. Do not question my truth.
    3. Re:Great news! by Strider- · · Score: 3, Informative

      Nuclear power is reliable, inexpensive (at least compared to solar + batteries), carbon free, and also the safest energy source we have.

      Not sure what planet you're living on. Sure it's reasonably reliable. But I don't think anyone in their right mind would consider it inexpensive. Also, it's definitely not carbon free due to the immense amounts of concrete required to build the plants, never mind mine the Uranium and enrich it. But hey, don't let facts get in the way of your argument.

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      ...si hoc legere nimium eruditionis habes...
    4. Re:Great news! by blindseer · · Score: 2, Informative

      Can you give citations for your claims? I'll provide a couple.

      Nuclear has lower carbon footprint than solar:
      https://www.carbonbrief.org/so...

      Nuclear power is safer and cheaper than solar:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

      --
      I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.
  2. Re:15-30 years last time I calculated... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    But if Tesla can build the solar panelling for ~.50USD/W, it might be doable in 7.5-15 years (I calculated recoup costs at 30 years as requiring ~0.30c/KWh power pricing to make it back, based off an 8 hour/day generation period.

    According to this page : https://electrek.co/2017/10/30/elon-musk-tesla-work-harder-australia-power-problem/
    South Australia is already paying ~$0.47 per kWh ( not sure if that is AUD or USD )

    According to this PDF : https://www.originenergy.com.au/content/dam/origin/residential/docs/energy-price-fact-sheets/sa/1July2017/SA_Electricity_Residential_SA%20Power%20Networks_Standard%20Published%20Rate.PDF

    Current network prices are ~$0.40 AUD INC GST ( GST = Sales tax )

    Taking the cheaper of the two xe.com says that : http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=.40&From=AUD&To=USD
    works out to be ~$0.3166 USD per kWh

  3. Re: Free, but not obligatory? by mspohr · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, the government does own these roofs. These are council homes (low income housing).

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  4. Re: Pay for the energy you generate on your roof! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    He's worth $20 billion dollars.

    Are you really that fucking retarded?