Ron Wagner

How Far Have We Really Gotten With Alternative Energy

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Coal is toast

https://www.futurity.org/solar-cells-break-efficiency-record-3194262/

NEW SOLAR CELLS BREAK EFFICIENCY RECORD

MARCH 18TH, 2024POSTED BY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Researchers successfully integrated a new anion, cyanate, into a perovskite structure, which was a key breakthrough in fabricating new triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cells. (Credit: NUS)

 

Researchers have invented new solar cells with world-record efficiency.

The triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell can achieve a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 27.1% across a solar energy absorption area of 1 sq cm (0.155 sq in), representing the best-performing triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell thus far.

To achieve this, the team engineered a new cyanate-integrated perovskite solar cell that is stable and energy efficient.

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reNEWS

https://renews.biz/92052/us-installed-4236mw-of-storage-in-q4-2023/

'US installed 4.2GW of storage in Q4 2023'

Wood Mackenzie and ACP report finds capacity doubled compared to third quarter March 2024  Energy Storage

The US energy storage market saw 4236MW installed in the final quarter of 2023, an 100% increase from Q3, according to a new report.For the first time, the grid-scale segment exceeded 3GW deployed in one quarter and nearly topped 4GW, according to Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association’s (ACP) latest US Energy Storage Monitor report.With 3983MW of new capacity additions, the quarter saw a 358% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

 

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reNEWS

UK wind generation hits record levels

DESNZ stats show onshore and offshore technologies met over 28% of power needs in 2023

26 MARCH 2020

Statistics published by the Government show that wind generated over 28% of the UK’s electricity needs in 2023, up 4% on 2022, hitting a new record.

 

Wind remains the UK’s biggest source of clean power, generating over 60% of its renewable electricity last year.

 

The latest Energy Trends report by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also shows that offshore wind generated 17.3% of the UK’s electricity in 2023, compared to 13.8% in 2022, and onshore wind provided 11.4%, compared to 10.8% in 2022, setting new annual percentage records in both technologies.  

Overall, renewables outperformed fossil fuels for a third year by generating 47.3% of the UK’s electricity, another new annual record, up from 41.5% in 2022, compared to 36.3% from oil, gas and coal – a record annual low from fossil fuels (which produced 40.8% in 2022) - most of which came from gas (34.3% in 2023).

 

The Government’s statistics also show new quarterly highs in the last three months of 2023.

 

This was the first quarter in which wind generated more electricity than gas, providing the largest share of generation by any technology in the UK – over 50% for the first time in a quarterly period (51.5%).

 

Renewables overall also generated a record amount of electricity (39.9 terawatt hours) – an increase of 4.9% on the same quarter in the previous year, due to high generation from wind, which set a new quarterly record of 26.4TWh (up 1.5%).

 

Commenting on today’s statistics, RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy Ana Musat said: “These official figures show that renewables have outstripped fossil fuels yet again and provided more of the UK’s annual electricity needs than ever before, with wind leading the way as our biggest source of clean power.

 

“With renewables, we can strengthen Britain’s energy security with the cheapest sources of new power available for billpayers.

 

“That’s why we’re urging Ministers to work with us to increase the number shovel-ready renewable energy projects which the Government could bring forward through this year’s auction for Contracts for Difference auction.

 

“This will enable us maximise deployment, strengthen skills and grow new supply chains, as we continue to create jobs all around the country”. 

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2 minutes ago, notsonice said:

reNEWS

UK wind generation hits record levels

DESNZ stats show onshore and offshore technologies met over 28% of power needs in 2023

26 MARCH 2020

Statistics published by the Government show that wind generated over 28% of the UK’s electricity needs in 2023, up 4% on 2022, hitting a new record.

 

Wind remains the UK’s biggest source of clean power, generating over 60% of its renewable electricity last year.

 

The latest Energy Trends report by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also shows that offshore wind generated 17.3% of the UK’s electricity in 2023, compared to 13.8% in 2022, and onshore wind provided 11.4%, compared to 10.8% in 2022, setting new annual percentage records in both technologies.  

Overall, renewables outperformed fossil fuels for a third year by generating 47.3% of the UK’s electricity, another new annual record, up from 41.5% in 2022, compared to 36.3% from oil, gas and coal – a record annual low from fossil fuels (which produced 40.8% in 2022) - most of which came from gas (34.3% in 2023).

 

The Government’s statistics also show new quarterly highs in the last three months of 2023.

 

This was the first quarter in which wind generated more electricity than gas, providing the largest share of generation by any technology in the UK – over 50% for the first time in a quarterly period (51.5%).

 

Renewables overall also generated a record amount of electricity (39.9 terawatt hours) – an increase of 4.9% on the same quarter in the previous year, due to high generation from wind, which set a new quarterly record of 26.4TWh (up 1.5%).

 

Commenting on today’s statistics, RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy Ana Musat said: “These official figures show that renewables have outstripped fossil fuels yet again and provided more of the UK’s annual electricity needs than ever before, with wind leading the way as our biggest source of clean power.

 

“With renewables, we can strengthen Britain’s energy security with the cheapest sources of new power available for billpayers.

 

“That’s why we’re urging Ministers to work with us to increase the number shovel-ready renewable energy projects which the Government could bring forward through this year’s auction for Contracts for Difference auction.

 

“This will enable us maximise deployment, strengthen skills and grow new supply chains, as we continue to create jobs all around the country”. 

Yep its going to feel real good paying those cheap energy bills after the NG disaster a few years ago.

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And yet, ALL those articles you post never post how much electricity actually costs other than some fictional LCOE which are not equivalent to the other forms of power.  If what you keep posting is reality, you SHOULD have CHEAP power, NOT the MOST expensive in the world.

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We havent!

Try Denmark!

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(edited)

13 hours ago, footeab@yahoo.com said:

And yet, ALL those articles you post never post how much electricity actually costs other than some fictional LCOE which are not equivalent to the other forms of power.  If what you keep posting is reality, you SHOULD have CHEAP power, NOT the MOST expensive in the world.

And yet you post nothing to back up your opinion!!!

The "other forms of power" are on there as well!!!

Denmark has the highest cost of powergen not the UK

Electricity costs more in Denmark than nearly anywhere else in the world. For one kilowatt-hour, Denmark pays about $0.54 USD. Several factors, including infrastructure, geography, and taxes, make up the bulk of this price.

The cost of generation has little to do with the cost the consumer/Joe public will pay.

Edited by Rob Plant
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18 hours ago, footeab@yahoo.com said:

And yet, ALL those articles you post never post how much electricity actually costs other than some fictional LCOE which are not equivalent to the other forms of power.  If what you keep posting is reality, you SHOULD have CHEAP power, NOT the MOST expensive in the world.

this was posted a few weeks ago on this site....

so nice to know you are slow and ignorant that you yourself are too lazy to keep up with reality

 

image.png.72269986f5cc9db5a1726624d0915be4.png

https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-renewables-still-cheaper-than-gas-despite-auction-setback-for-offshore-wind/

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tip of the Iceberg from one site alone

SOLAR

 
9 APRIL 2024Newbie US solar, battery IPP launches 9 APRIL 2024Plenitude kicks off 330MW Spanish solar construction 9 APRIL 2024X-Elio agrees Spanish solar trio sale 9 APRIL 2024Luxcara reaches FID on 316MW Danish solar 8 APRIL 2024RWE signs first UK solar PPA 8 APRIL 2024Parkmead plans 100MW Scottish project 5 APRIL 2024Leeward wraps up 200MW Horizon solar build
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more icebergs

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(edited)

Clean energy accounted for 10% of global GDP growth in 2023Our new country-by-country and sector-by-sector analysis finds that in 2023, clean energy added around USD 320 billion to the world economy.20 hours ago
 

Clean energy is boosting economic growth – Analysis - IEA

image.png.6e5846a6ab3f1d68432eed2b67838aff.png
 
Clean electricity accounted for around 80% of new capacity additions to the world’s electricity system in 2023, and electric vehicles for around one out of five cars sold globally. At the same time, global investment in clean energy manufacturing is booming, driven by industrial policies and market demand. Employment in clean energy jobs exceeded that of fossil fuels in 2021 and continues to grow.
 
Clean energy accounted for around one-fifth of China’s 5.2% GDP growth in 2023. Each of the three categories assessed grew strongly, with the largest increase coming from investment in clean power capacity, followed by clean equipment sales, particularly EVs. Expansion in clean energy manufacturing accounted for around 5% of China’s GDP growth in 2023
 
Edited by notsonice
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I may be at odds with people I normally agree with here, but I cant for the life of me understand why it makes economic sense to install solar panels in the UK.

Please see article below in today's press

Do solar panels work in Britain's wet and cloudy climate - and can they power your home?

lcimg-fdc86365-f533-4448-9d2a-b6586262538e.png
lcimg-30a33852-74b3-4340-9fc6-21569e0248a0.jpeg

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Solar panels in the UK are pointless given the weather'

For this one, we've got the help of George Frost, UK manager for sustainable energy advice firm iChoosr. 

lcimg-67c6d3a9-366e-47de-bfee-25ce5e787a7f.jpeg

"With cloudy and colder days in the winter, it is natural for people to think that solar energy may not be as effective in this country - but this is simply false," he says. 

Let's dive into it... 

The basics

So how do solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work?

George explains: "Solar panels are composed of PV cells, which contain electrons that are energised upon contact with light particles, or photons. 

"This energy is then directly converted into an electric current to generate electricity."

In simple terms: solar panels rely on the sun's light and not its heat to generate energy. 

lcimg-2fcc02b5-1a9b-4187-b978-2c421ddacdbd.jpeg

Like most electrical equipment, solar panels perform better in colder temperatures, as excessive heat can reduce efficiency. 

"Solar panels will generate more energy on a crisp and chilly sunny day than on a hot, sunny day," George says. 

The issue really lies not with temperature but with cloud cover.

Solar panels receive less sunlight if there is a high density of clouds. 

Cloudy days can be a regular sight in the UK

Cloudy days can be a regular sight in the UKPics: Reuters

Data suggests the energy generated drops significantly under heavy cloud cover, but George says that even on less clear and bright days, solar panels can still generate a "substantial" amount. 

Battery storage can help make up for effects of cloud cover. 

"By installing a battery alongside solar panels, any excess energy generated can be stored and utilised later in the day when the panels are no longer generating due to the absence of sunlight," George says.  

"Although the winter months have fewer daylight hours, it's important to note that solar PV systems do not completely shut down on shorter and darker days."

The numbers

The ideal temperature for solar panel efficiency is between 1C and 20C. 

National Energy Action data shows that the average solar panel can generate up to 3kWh of electricity on a sunny day. 

A mildly cloudy day will produce 0.55kWh and a heavily overcast day 0.24 kWh, according to the Ecoexperts.

lcimg-9dc274fa-a10e-47da-9588-e3ace44229f6.jpeg

The typical UK solar panel system (3-4kW system, typically made up of eight to 12 panels) produces between 2,450 and 3,000+ kWh a year, depending on orientation, location and weather conditions - according to Solar Together data.

The average British home uses around 2,700kWh of electricity a year, Ofwat estimates. 

Myth or must?

It's a myth that British solar panels are pointless - and data shows the average panel system could in theory power your home almost entirely. 

Solar Together caveats that by saying: "In practice, it's difficult for the average homeowner to install enough solar panels to power their entire home. 

"They can, though, generate enough energy to power household appliances such as your TV and fridge-freezer."

Consider this myth busted - and think of the green impact too! 

Pics: iStock

Pics: iStock

lcimg-26fa4826-8d60-4681-bc5a-3e75397639fd.png
 
This is all very nice but in my opinion a biased viewpoint.
Also the payback from installation costs is roughly 14 years for the average house
"A 3-bedroom house typically requires a 4kW solar panel system, which costs around £9,000 – £10,000 (with a break-even period of about 14 years). Solar panels can cost between £5,000 and £13,000. You can expect to save roughly between £440 and up to £1,005 on electricity bills annually."
 
The problem here is that how many people live at a property for much more than 14 years? Therefore you dont ever get your payback.
Also what isnt discussed are birds. There are many houses in the suburb I live in that have solar panels and whenever i look at the solar panels they are covered in pigeons. These birds then leave their guano all over the panels so not only does their body lessen the effective sunlight the panels can absorb but the guano does also. The efficiencies in the article arent real life IMO let alone the eyesore that these panels turn your house into.
Happy for other to prove me wrong on this but it will take some argument.
 
 
 
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3 hours ago, Rob Plant said:

I may be at odds with people I normally agree with here, but I cant for the life of me understand why it makes economic sense to install solar panels in the UK.

Please see article below in today's press

Do solar panels work in Britain's wet and cloudy climate - and can they power your home?

lcimg-fdc86365-f533-4448-9d2a-b6586262538e.png
lcimg-30a33852-74b3-4340-9fc6-21569e0248a0.jpeg

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Solar panels in the UK are pointless given the weather'

For this one, we've got the help of George Frost, UK manager for sustainable energy advice firm iChoosr. 

lcimg-67c6d3a9-366e-47de-bfee-25ce5e787a7f.jpeg

"With cloudy and colder days in the winter, it is natural for people to think that solar energy may not be as effective in this country - but this is simply false," he says. 

Let's dive into it... 

The basics

So how do solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work?

George explains: "Solar panels are composed of PV cells, which contain electrons that are energised upon contact with light particles, or photons. 

"This energy is then directly converted into an electric current to generate electricity."

In simple terms: solar panels rely on the sun's light and not its heat to generate energy. 

lcimg-2fcc02b5-1a9b-4187-b978-2c421ddacdbd.jpeg

Like most electrical equipment, solar panels perform better in colder temperatures, as excessive heat can reduce efficiency. 

"Solar panels will generate more energy on a crisp and chilly sunny day than on a hot, sunny day," George says. 

The issue really lies not with temperature but with cloud cover.

Solar panels receive less sunlight if there is a high density of clouds. 

Cloudy days can be a regular sight in the UK

Cloudy days can be a regular sight in the UKPics: Reuters

Data suggests the energy generated drops significantly under heavy cloud cover, but George says that even on less clear and bright days, solar panels can still generate a "substantial" amount. 

Battery storage can help make up for effects of cloud cover. 

"By installing a battery alongside solar panels, any excess energy generated can be stored and utilised later in the day when the panels are no longer generating due to the absence of sunlight," George says.  

"Although the winter months have fewer daylight hours, it's important to note that solar PV systems do not completely shut down on shorter and darker days."

The numbers

The ideal temperature for solar panel efficiency is between 1C and 20C. 

National Energy Action data shows that the average solar panel can generate up to 3kWh of electricity on a sunny day. 

A mildly cloudy day will produce 0.55kWh and a heavily overcast day 0.24 kWh, according to the Ecoexperts.

lcimg-9dc274fa-a10e-47da-9588-e3ace44229f6.jpeg

The typical UK solar panel system (3-4kW system, typically made up of eight to 12 panels) produces between 2,450 and 3,000+ kWh a year, depending on orientation, location and weather conditions - according to Solar Together data.

The average British home uses around 2,700kWh of electricity a year, Ofwat estimates. 

Myth or must?

It's a myth that British solar panels are pointless - and data shows the average panel system could in theory power your home almost entirely. 

Solar Together caveats that by saying: "In practice, it's difficult for the average homeowner to install enough solar panels to power their entire home. 

"They can, though, generate enough energy to power household appliances such as your TV and fridge-freezer."

Consider this myth busted - and think of the green impact too! 

Pics: iStock

Pics: iStock

lcimg-26fa4826-8d60-4681-bc5a-3e75397639fd.png
 
This is all very nice but in my opinion a biased viewpoint.
Also the payback from installation costs is roughly 14 years for the average house
"A 3-bedroom house typically requires a 4kW solar panel system, which costs around £9,000 – £10,000 (with a break-even period of about 14 years). Solar panels can cost between £5,000 and £13,000. You can expect to save roughly between £440 and up to £1,005 on electricity bills annually."
 
The problem here is that how many people live at a property for much more than 14 years? Therefore you dont ever get your payback.
Also what isnt discussed are birds. There are many houses in the suburb I live in that have solar panels and whenever i look at the solar panels they are covered in pigeons. These birds then leave their guano all over the panels so not only does their body lessen the effective sunlight the panels can absorb but the guano does also. The efficiencies in the article arent real life IMO let alone the eyesore that these panels turn your house into.
Happy for other to prove me wrong on this but it will take some argument.
 
 
 

The problem is that the average UK household is powered by NG in the form of HEAT not electricity, and this power load DWARFS the typical UK household electrical load. The article author is completely disingenuous as their GOAL is getting rid of NG/Oil/Coal.  Next the author is utterly LYING as all that energy in the UK solar panels is produced in summer when there is ~zero heating load and the panels do not work in the winter when there is a MASSIVE heating load. 

No wonder the UK has the 2nd highest COST electrical power in  the world only surpassed by the fools in Denmark/Germany.  UK morons who can't figure out which is their arse and which is their elbow regarding BASIC engineering.  Oh how the might have fallen.  Wave your wand Harry Potter, wishes are reality!  Bravo!

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8 hours ago, notsonice said:
Clean energy accounted for 10% of global GDP growth in 2023Our new country-by-country and sector-by-sector analysis finds that in 2023, clean energy added around USD 320 billion to the world economy.20 hours ago
 

Clean energy is boosting economic growth – Analysis - IEA

image.png.6e5846a6ab3f1d68432eed2b67838aff.png
 
Clean electricity accounted for around 80% of new capacity additions to the world’s electricity system in 2023, and electric vehicles for around one out of five cars sold globally. At the same time, global investment in clean energy manufacturing is booming, driven by industrial policies and market demand. Employment in clean energy jobs exceeded that of fossil fuels in 2021 and continues to grow.
 
Clean energy accounted for around one-fifth of China’s 5.2% GDP growth in 2023. Each of the three categories assessed grew strongly, with the largest increase coming from investment in clean power capacity, followed by clean equipment sales, particularly EVs. Expansion in clean energy manufacturing accounted for around 5% of China’s GDP growth in 2023
 

What a load of steamy horse manure.  Cheaper prices of energy = actual growth as the common man can afford to do more with their life.  Not more expensive forms of energy massively inflating the prices of everything... Might want to look at basic efficiency in engineering allowing modern life(oIl/Coal/NG)   Dropped the cost of transportation allowing cheap flow of goods/services.

Building EXPENSIVE power, technically is GDP... I will note it is NOT GDP in the countries INSTALLING said power as they are too STUPID to produce their own(and why you know it is a MASSIVE scam as otherwise they would open manufacturing lines of  their own), but at least China is selling something the short sighted fools will pay for. 

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(edited)

2 hours ago, footeab@yahoo.com said:

No wonder the UK has the 2nd highest COST electrical power in  the world only surpassed by the fools in Denmark/Germany.  UK morons who can't figure out which is their arse and which is their elbow regarding BASIC engineering.  Oh how the might have fallen.  Wave your wand Harry Potter, wishes are reality!  Bravo!

How can the UK have the 2nd highest when you then say in the same sentence only surpassed by Denmark and Germany? Surely 3rd is the highest they can be!

Actually Italy pay the highest at €63.73/Kwh

The European Countries with the Highest End User Electricity Prices

In comparison, we’ve also discovered which of the 27 European countries analysed have the highest end user electricity prices by comparing HEPI and ONS data.

Country Average full time adjusted annual salary per employee (Euros) Average full time adjusted annual salary per employee (GBP) HEPI end user electricity price (c€/kWh) Average electricity bill
Italy € 29,951 £26,638 63.73 £2,209.41
Germany € 44,404 £39,492 54.18 £1,878.33
Denmark € 63,261 £56,264 52.82 £1,831.18
UK € 37,464 £33,320 47.49 £1,646.40
Sweden € 46,934 £41,743 44.42 £1,529.97

 

 

Edited by Rob Plant
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4 hours ago, footeab@yahoo.com said:

What a load of steamy horse manure.  Cheaper prices of energy = actual growth as the common man can afford to do more with their life.  Not more expensive forms of energy massively inflating the prices of everything... Might want to look at basic efficiency in engineering allowing modern life(oIl/Coal/NG)   Dropped the cost of transportation allowing cheap flow of goods/services.

Building EXPENSIVE power, technically is GDP... I will note it is NOT GDP in the countries INSTALLING said power as they are too STUPID to produce their own(and why you know it is a MASSIVE scam as otherwise they would open manufacturing lines of  their own), but at least China is selling something the short sighted fools will pay for. 

What a load of steamy horse manure?????

you now are thinking that real GDP growth tied to green energy is steamy horse manure......

 

solar and wind are now cheaper than Coal and Gas

2H 2023 LCOE Update: An Uneven Recovery | BloombergNEF

 

how is your plan to bury roads in tunnels working out????

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(edited)

7 hours ago, footeab@yahoo.com said:

Cheaper prices of energy = actual growth as the common man can afford to do more with their life.  

By "do more with their life," do you mean they won't have to fix their own cars anymore?

Edited by Polyphia
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(edited)

14 hours ago, footeab@yahoo.com said:

 Cheaper prices of energy = actual growth as the common man can afford to do more with their life. 

I find this profound!

I hope that doing more with life at least uses less energy than that consumed to do the more.

Edited by turbguy

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Vietnam govt approves plan to cut power output from coal-fired plants

The Vietnamese government has approved a plan that needs $134.7 billion to reduce coal-fired electricity generation and improve the country's power grid by 2030

Coal
 

Coal

IANS Hanoi

2 min read Last Updated : May 17 2023 | 12:09 PM IST
The Vietnamese government has approved a plan that needs $134.7 billion to reduce coal-fired electricity generation and improve the country's power grid by 2030.
The plan is aimed at ensuring Vietnam's energy security as the country is set to maintain an annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 7 per cent until 2030 while shifting toward carbon neutrality by 2050, reports Xinhua news agency citing local media.
 
Under the plan, coal-fired power output would drop to 20 per cent of power supply by 2030 from almost half now while the share of renewable energy in the country's power mix would be raised to between 67.5 and 71.5 per cent.
The plan showed Vietnam would double its power generation capacity to more than 150 gigawatts by 2030 from 69 gigawatts at the end of 2020.
Coal-fired power would account for 30.13 gigawatts or 20 per cent of the mix by 2030, followed by hydropower with 19.5 per cent, wind energy with 18.5 per cent and solar power with 8.5 per cent, according to the draft.
Under the plan, half of office buildings and homes in Vietnam would be powered by rooftop solar panels by 2030, and the country would also aim to export green energy with a target of 5-10 gigawatts by 2030.

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