eli5 Why is there no giant solar farm in Australia?

Question

My cursory Google says that it’s not impossible. So why?

EDIT: Answer seems to be that (politics aside) practically it’s cost prohibitive and the tech can’t transfer the energy over the distance required.

In: 609

Answer 1

Here’s answers that are not just specific to Australia, but in general, it’s because there’s not enough **perceived need** for it yet (and note how important ‘perception’ is).

1. Expense versus benefit. Giant solar farms are coming WAY down in price compared to decades ago… but they are still VERY expensive to set up and attach to the local power grid. So some business or government has to want to absorb the risk, front the money or get the necessary financing, secure all the resources required to do all the work, and make a profit. That’s absolutely not easy for megaprojects. And unless people are clamoring for that power NOW NOW NOW, there’s not a political appetite to spend there.
2. Political/industrial resistance. At least in my own country, there is a powerful “carbon energy lobby” that pushes back against solar. They work hard to pressure politicians to spend money on other things than solar.
3. NIMBY. Stands for “Not In My Back Yard”. You want to build your plant close to cities because it’s more economical and you have a nearby supply of workers… but a lot of suburbs don’t want such infrastructure near them, and it’s got to avoid “at-risk” environmental areas. So there’s pushback even if it creates jobs. It’s an obstacle that most large-footprint projects need to overcome.
4. Short-term thinking. Far too many voters still haven’t accepted the massive impact of climate change and need for everyone to move to green energy. So there’s no incredibly motivating drivers to elect politicians that will push such a carbon-reducing project yet.
5. Future uncertainty. Solar technology is advancing so fast that it’s difficult to know WHEN to invest. “If we build it five years from now, solar will be cheaper. If we wait ten years, even cheaper. And in twenty years… who knows, maybe we’ll have nuclear fusion! Maybe there will be super-less-expensive rooftop systems! Let’s wait and see!”