that's incorrect. Let's talk through point by point.
1. But solar panels are made *with* coal, not "than", just in another country.
Coal was the backbone of China's energy mix until last year, but no longer.
In 2024, China added:
- Solar PV: 170 GW
- Wind: 90 GW
- Coal: 40 GW
China has net zero target too, 2060.
2. Legacy fuel cost is inflated by the stupid Carbon Tax
It may be stupid but it's a tax. However, carbon tax or 'climate charge levy' added 0.775p per kwH electricity price. Not a significant amount while the price is set by Ofgem to be based 97% on gas because it's the mopst expensive. If government allows the customer buy at instantaneous market price, all the nuclear, biomass, gas and diesel generators will instantly go bust because renewables will wipe the floor to all of them. I can see that it's not wise.
3. (all tax is theft)
soundwave will agree with you but all of us still pay taxes because deep down, we know we need a government.
4. And we still need it for backup, baseload and grid stability.
Yes, and renewables and interconnectors are better solutions than any stabilisers based on a rotating mass like steam turbines. The problem is legislation. At the moment, if the frequency is out by 1Hz (49Hz or 51Hz instead of 50Hz), all the inverters, home and larger installations, will disconnect at once, causing a cascading event. That need to be changed, you don't want to disconnect renewables when the frequency drops, you want to use them to stabilise the grid. The software that TSOs use were made for gas and nuclear also needs to be upgraded.
I hope we can debate this important subject with facts rather than emotions.