This report from Australia (7 July) is very encouraging, showing the growth of solar power. Electricity from centralised, coal-fired power stations is no longer economically best, and for a long time has not been environmentally best.

The interesting development is how it is impacting on cities, where local rooftop power generation is set to take hold. Also interesting is that the economics do not rely on a feed-in tariff. In fact, some areas are now banning feed-in because of the solar surplus.

Lessons for the UK? Well, perhaps an understanding that solar power has serious economic as well as environmental benefits, even at a latitude this far north.

Link:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/07/solar-has-won-even-if-coal-were-free-to-burn-power-stations-couldnt-compete