Beacon of light?
While Wairarapa argues about much smaller solar projects, California has just flipped the switch on the world’s largest single-site solar and battery storage project. In Kern County, the Edward Sanborn project covers a 4,600-acre area, on private land and land leased from Edwards Air Force Base. The project’s impressive capacity is 875 megawatts [MW] of solar power generation and 3,287 megawatt-hours [MWh] of battery storage. The solar generation capacity could power more than 238,000 homes, and its battery storage displaces the need for over 320,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Solar panels only generate electricity during daylight hours, so gaps are created in energy production, especially during peak evening hours when demand is high. The project tackles this problem with the massive battery storage system, which releases energy back into the grid when needed.
The project contributes significantly to California’s ambitious renewable energy goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This translates to cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a positive impact on the fight against climate change.
Greenwashing
A new Australian greenwashing law, reinforcing truth in advertising laws and specifically targeting deception in environmental and sustainability claims, is about to be implemented by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [ACCC]. Companies will have to ensure environmental claims are reliable, accurate, and verifiably backed by evidence.
Phrases such as “net zero emissions” and “100 per cent renewable energy” will now require transparent proof of such claims. Violations could result in fines of up to A$500,000 for individuals and A$10 million for corporations. BP Australia, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Virgin Australia have run campaigns that will soon be illegal.
Wait for a HAILSTORM? Everything made in CHINA? What’s the cost to the ENVIRONMENT TO PRODUCE THE SOLAR PANELS 🤔 AND BATTERIES 🔋?. The loss of productive land 🤔 Humans need to eat 😉 and drink 🍸 😉 or we DIE. Just and ENVIRONMENTALISTS DREAM AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. A GRAVEY TRAIN OF MONEY 💰 🤑 💸.