California reduced its solar curtailment rate by 12% in early 2025, even as solar generation jumped 18% year-over-year. The state added 77 new utility-scale battery storage sites since 2024, which helped absorb midday solar surpluses and reduce wasted energy. On March 29, batteries prevented what would’ve been a 67% higher curtailment rate.
This is more than a short-term fix. With battery prices continuing to fall, oversized solar arrays and 24-hour solar plants are starting to pencil out economically, *especially in desert regions.* California’s experience shows how quickly solar and storage can scale to reshape the grid.
OriginalCompetitive on
FYI, solar curtailment is when you intentionally ditch solar energy because you have more than you can use.
Tech_Philosophy on
I am not against nuclear power plants in the slightest, but the pro-nuclear crowd REALLY needs to find a new talking point besides “you need power when the sun doesn’t shine”.
We are moving beyond that faster than I had imagined we could.
3 Comments
California reduced its solar curtailment rate by 12% in early 2025, even as solar generation jumped 18% year-over-year. The state added 77 new utility-scale battery storage sites since 2024, which helped absorb midday solar surpluses and reduce wasted energy. On March 29, batteries prevented what would’ve been a 67% higher curtailment rate.
This is more than a short-term fix. With battery prices continuing to fall, oversized solar arrays and 24-hour solar plants are starting to pencil out economically, *especially in desert regions.* California’s experience shows how quickly solar and storage can scale to reshape the grid.
FYI, solar curtailment is when you intentionally ditch solar energy because you have more than you can use.
I am not against nuclear power plants in the slightest, but the pro-nuclear crowd REALLY needs to find a new talking point besides “you need power when the sun doesn’t shine”.
We are moving beyond that faster than I had imagined we could.