Rooftop PV will soon eliminate demand in world’s biggest isolated grid. It needs a bigger battery

A rapid and unexpected rise in rooftop solar PV is expected to push “operational” demand in Western Australia’s main grid below zero within two years, and will require bigger batteries in what is regarded as the world’s biggest isolated grid.

This is one of the unsung conclusions of the latest 10-year demand and supply forecasts prepared by the Australian Energy Market Operator, known as the Electricity Statement of Opportunities.

AEMO predicts a four-fold increase in rooftop solar across Australia’s main grid over the next two decades, to a phenomenal 86 gigawatts (GW). But in W.A., rooftop solar is growing even more rapidly, and is expected to nearly treble in capacity to around 7 GW in the next ten years.

This is significant. South Australia is often regarded as a world leader in the uptake of wind and solar, with a 70 per cent share over the last 12 months, and where rooftop solar output has already exceeded grid demand on more than one occasion.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/rooftop-pv-will-soon-eliminate-demand-in-worlds-biggest-isolated-grid-it-needs-a-bigger-battery/