Some Australian states are discovering what happens when they have too much rooftop solar
Alerts to possible power shortfalls have become a familiar occurrence. But experts say it won’t be long before the opposite is common
When Victoria basks in mostly sunny spring weather this weekend, energy authorities will be monitoring how far electricity demand ebbs. If needed, they’ll turn off rooftop solar systems to ensure stability for the grid.
Such minimum system load events, as they are called, have emerged as a new challenge as households across Australia take advantage of plunging prices for solar panels to shield themselves from rising power bills and cut carbon emissions.
The Australian Energy Market Operator issued two such alerts for Victoria during the AFL grand final weekend a fortnight ago, and warned of two for this Saturday and Sunday.
The public has become inured to annual alerts to possible power shortfalls during summer heatwaves or extended cold snaps during winter.
