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this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2026
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Just build solar cells in the desert. Should be easier than in any other country.
Doesn't even need to be in the desert. Build them on every house and business. Add batteries. Add electric vehicles. Done.
I know it's more complex than that but that's the gist.
How do we build and transport any of those without oil? We make none of them here.
It’s pretty much impossible to go from an oil dependent economy to an oil free economy overnight. Even this current crisis is based on reduced availability. Not none. Current infrastructure would need to be used to create new, oil independent infrastructure. In much the same way that the original cars has their components shipped by barge, by steam train, by horse and cart etc.
It's also better to build what we can near the cities since it reduces the need for more transmission lines which are costly and prone to opposition from rural types (unless it happens to go through their farm and they make a killing on it).
I agree with building near use. It's better use of land as well to put them on the roof of buildings.
There are a lot of small scale solar installations on rural properties. I would guess it is often a question of supporting infrastructure and economics not political opposition.
Example of rural small scale solar on SA https://www.redmud.net.au/our-farms
I don't think it's fair to blame rural types for lack of infrastructure. Generally they are calling for better infrastructure not less. There are NIMBYs everywhere but there are also pragmatists everywhere.
It's just the nature of the issue. Transmission lines are primarily going through rural areas, so consequently that is where the opposition is centred.
And there's a strong streak of anti-renewable and anti-transmission sentiment in the regions, much of it inflamed by disinformation locally and online.
NIMBYs are a slightly different problem in that it's primarily about protecting property values rather than mostly ideological opposition in the regions. Which attitude is worse is up for debate, but yeah, I'd prefer both groups had less power to oppose needed infrastructure.
The other parts are fixing up our rail networks for long distance freight transport, and general electricification of heavy industry.
Biggest downside is we'd have to go change out all those "without trucks Australia stops" slogans with something new.
The truck network is privately owned and the big company owners are huge political donors. They will always oppose rail. We have road trains going through town day and night and the roads are getting years of wear in months. Privatise the profits. Socialise the costs.
There are huge bypasses and highway upgrades not far away costing millions and none of the road trains use them. They are tearing up the B roads because it's the only route they are allowed on. It's crazy.
The rail here was never fit for purpose. Installed a century ago and conditions were so bad it moved at a crawl. It could not compete with the massive public funding that goes into roads.
"Without rail, Australia will fail"?
Anyway I suspect long haul trucks will win out for the medium term at least. Not because it's the best solution, but because it can be rolled out more quickly. I do hope we pursue rail for the long term good though, and not just for freight but for people moving, particularly as jet fuel takes up a greater proportion of our emissions.
@vividspecter @dgriffith am hoping the same. Problem is a lot of the lines were privatised and now in a state of disrepair especially in WA. Fix them, add a passenger car to every train heading into the country and there you go.
How about new stickers t:
oops, we got it wrong. Australia big. We're not full, I was just being racist.
Or is that a step too far?
Dandrews govt had a whole acheme for neighbourhood battery banks to spread solar power between those with panels and those without, soak up excess, decentralise the grid and allow neighbourhoods to island
Then covid happened arrtfggh
Those banks can power like a dozen homes for a dozen minutes lol.
It’s always been that simple, problem is like half of conservatives in parliament are actively misinforming the public with their Murdoch assigned opinions of renewable energy being a “”rort””.
Not all their opinions are Murdoch assigned, some come straight from Gina
We have options for renewables falling out our arse, that's why they're hitting so hard. We could be a terror to the fossil fuel industry
My grandparents still believe that line about how solar power is destroying the sun or however it goes.
Gotta say, that’s a new one for me haha. Leeching the sun of its energy huh?