When the barbecue discussion in Bendigo or Brisbane, Adelaide or Alice Springs focuses on how many rooftop solar panels you have and how much money you are saving, you realise that you are living in very interesting times. The sun that blesses our country cares not that our politicians are incapable of deciding on an energy policy that meets our needs for consistent and affordable electricity while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gases. Australia leads the world in per capita installation of roof top solar panels. We are dotting our sunburnt and windblown country-side with solar and wind farms. Cattle and sheep graze around them and farmers benefit. Pumped-storage hydro-electricity is the back-up. Mother Nature’s electricity has become cheaper than electricity generated from coal, gas and other fossil fuels. A new economy is on the horizon. Solar energy -- Australia. | Wind power -- Australia. | Renewable energy sources -- Australia. | Australian