' When there are so many new coal fired power plants being built or in the planning stage, world wide, one wonders why Australia is lagging behind; seems that we have the coal but not the will to use it.'

Green stupidity by hypocrites!

The price of solar in Australia is diving quite dramatically. Why? Because the energy companies had been price gouging Australian consumers.

"Analysts are also curious why, in some cases, basic battery storage systems can be bought in China for around $150/kWh but then marked up to $1,000kWh when sold in Australia. The additional of a battery management system will put the price up, but not to this extent."
http://reneweconomy.com.au/agl-offering-7-2kwh-battery-storage-at-under-10000-10000/

But to be claiming this system which appears to be a 5KW output (5MW / 1000 homes) cost $30,000 is rather fishy.

Here is a recent comparison table;

http://www.solarquotes.com.au/battery-storage/comparison-table/

The Tesla Powerwall 2 comes in at $8750 for a 13KW capacity.

Just like with panels the costs of these things will keep going down while the environmental impact of burning coal will continue to increase.

It is not rocket science folks.

Has anybody heard anything about disposal and waste impact of worn out batteries used in solar systems?

How much might waste tips charge to take them?

Dear JF Aus,

The rechargable batteries used in a Tesla and I'm guessing a Powerwall are the 21700 Lithium batteries capable of over daily 5000 recharges.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battery_sizes#Lithium-ion_batteries_.28rechargeable.29

They certainly are recyclable.

If you are worried about recycling your own rechargables you can take them to your nearest Aldi or look up a recognised recycler on website like this one;
http://businessrecycling.com.au/search/

I found one within 5 kms and another 6 within 50.

There are some really exciting inovations happening even within our own CSIRO despite there not being a hell of a lot of love from this government.
http://www.csiro.au/en/Research/EF/Areas/Energy-storage/UltraBattery

Battery technology really never changed from the 20s until the 80s!

This was all to sell fossil fuels and the Hollywood lifestyle that bred the complex of the modern Western World!

Battery technology was never going to supply the grunt to win another world war.... so it all makes complete logical sense!

Hi Steele,

5,000 ÷ 360 = nearly 14 years but I think overheating can reduce that life.
As for a recycler 1,500 nautical miles out in the Pacific or in the outback, I think freight will be a problem leading to dumping and increase in replacement cost.

Solar is not generally free like its made out to be.