/sci/ - Science & Math

>>14759800

Utility scale solar installations typically feature a accompanying battery or energy storage facility such that the trickle charge during the day can be evenly distributed at night when power is no longer being generated.

These can take many different forms, some toxic such as lead-acid batteries or lithium batteries - but many equally if not moreso effective means of storing power in an environmentally friendly way exists. These typically involve pumped Hydro units, or mass batteries (wherein a large mass is slowly lifted by a motor during the day and at night it is let down, then the motor acts as a generator.

We can genuinely support our entire power dependency off of renewables given we have the ability to use these energy storage means - the only reason we don't is because the upfront cost. Happy to show the RoI for solar panels vs non-renewables + efficiency of energy storage methods vs battery storage if you want sauce.