Australia produces too much solar energy

Can there be such a thing as too much sun? According to Australia, yes. With more than 650,000 homes with solar panels, the country is currently grappling with a glut of solar power — so much that people are paying taxes for it. An unlikely solution? A wager between Elon Musk and Mike Cannon-Brookes.

After devastating storms overwhelmed Australia’s energy infrastructure, the government wanted to focus its efforts on expanding coal-fired power rather than switching to renewables. Elon Musk tweeted that he could find a solution to Australia’s problem in just 100 days. Mike Cannon-Brookes, seeing the tweet, offered to fund the project—that is, if Elon’s words weren’t just empty boasting. Elon took the bet, promising to install the system for free if he didn’t keep his promise.

Ultimately, Tesla’s 100-watt lithium-ion battery was installed at Hornsdale Power Reserve within the promised 100 days. With a capacity of 129 megawatt-hours, it was the largest lithium-ion battery in the world at the time. It was so effective that several companies began investing in energy storage as well. Soon, consumers will be able to store their own energy instead of relying on the national grid.

With governments offering incentives to switch to renewable energy and the appeal of living independent of a centralized energy grid, solar power has never been more enticing. Could a solar revolution be within reach?