Originally Posted By: Vikas
Eventually, solar will take over; the only question is "Will it happen in one decade or two".
I agree...however, that's when it gets expensive, and the peak/off peak curves are reversed.
Round trip costs for Li are 20-25c/KWh, even if charging them is free.
So for every 1,000MW (nameplate) of thermal, you need to install 3,000-4,000MW of solar (to harvest the same energy per 24 hour period), and store it for overnight.
It will be nearly free (actually, market forces will be giving it away) during the day, and expensive as all get out at night. Have run this scenario past a few market analysts who agree.
Oz model has "intermediate" fast ramp generation via biomass, as does the UK...wonder where on Earth they are going to get the acreage for all the biomass PLUS 3-4 times thermal nameplate rating of solar.