Hey Raider. Great podcast .
" Around 15% of the cost of a solar panel in Australia is getting it here. " And that's without adding the co2 emissions of transport !
While l think the funding announcement is somewhat a political move, l also think it has been poorly reported and people don't understand what the government is trying to achieve.
" Prime minister Anthony Albanese has pledged $1 billion in production subsidies and grants to build a solar supply chain on Australian soil in a major pre-budget announcement made from New South Wales coal country.
Australia
“should not be the last link in a global supply chain built on an Australian invention,” Albanese said in a speech delivered at the recently closed Liddell coal-fired power station. "
“We have every metal and critical mineral necessary to be a central player in the net zero transformation, and a proven track record as a reliable energy producer and exporter.
“Historically, Australia has been good at going from the mining pit to port, and long may this continue.
“But the Australian government will also invest in the path from pit to panels and capture more value for our economy and workforce.”
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-sunshot-albanese-pledges-1bn-to-take-australia-from-pit-to-panel/
Australia may ultimately not be able to competitively build solar panels but l wouldn't rule it out either. As the podcast, explains a lot of the advantages China had are disappearing now. The thinking that " we'll just build it overseas is changing ". That's why the US and Europe are now trying to break the monopoly of China building renewables also.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-solar-factories-strike-deal-produce-made-usa-panels-2024-03-27/Another thing the flat earthers are missing is all the other spin offs that will come from this. lt is now more likely that other Australian scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs will get to develop products here rather than go overseas as they did in the past.
Just imagine if the federal government has done this 10 years ago ?
lnstead of ridiculing South Australia for going for renewables, imagine if they actually got behind them and started a renewable energy zone with funding a decade ago ?
Where would they and the rest of Australia be now ?
