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Rooftop solar panels are flooding California’s grid. That’s a problem. As electricity prices go negative, the Golden State is struggling to offload a glut of solar power (wapo.st)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'll note that right now, this is a seasonal issue, associated with moderate springtime temperatures when there is a lot of sunshine available.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 7 months ago (2 children)

It's more that people are confused about what an cost-optimal system looks like — if you're building around renewables, it means there will inherently be periods of excess production, where we're forced to curtail production, and spill sunshine or wind, and the price drops to zero or below. In California, that means the springtime, when there's a lot of sunshine, combined with moderate temperatures. There will also be periods where energy is relatively scarce (nighttime winter heating, hot days with lots of AC running) and the price is high.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

props to you OP for understanding the article you posted. 👍

im as critical of capitalism as the next chronically online marxist loser, but even i recognize that this issue is a logistics issue which would present itself under any economic system given the immense rate of growth we are asking of the technology.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

We have systems like "gravity batteries." If there is an excess of power then there should be storage systems like running water up a hill/tower, that can be released at times of greater demand.