What the article is actually about is that there's tons of solar panels now but not enough infrastructure to effectively limit/store/use the power at peak production, and the extra energy in the grid can cause damage. Damage to the extent of people being without power for months.

California had a tax incentive program for solar panels, but not batteries, and because batteries are expensive, they're in a situation now where so many people put panels on their houses but no batteries to store excess power that they can't store the power when it surpasses demand, so the state is literally paying companies to run their industrial stoves and stuff just to burn off the excess power to keep the grid from being destroyed.

[–] Daxter101@lemmy.blahaj.zone 51 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Lol

I just love when large organizations (governments included) skimp on something for monetary reasons, and get fucked down the line.

Too bad citizens pay the damages.

[–] Glass0448@lemmy.today 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Wish there was just a faster way to get citizen input.

"Hey folks, this is going to be a cost overrun for this very very good reason, please vote yay or nay in the weekly election".

Don't see how it could work now though, given that half the citizens are deeply committed to destroying everything to prove gov doesn't work.

[–] ddkman@lemm.ee 17 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Also, let's be real here. The Lion battery farms, defeat any sort of environmental benefit. It is a total shot in the foot, which is why governments, and solar companies don't advertise the concept.

[–] SnipingNinja@slrpnk.net 20 points 5 months ago (1 children)

For a moment I was thinking that lion battery is some brand, until it clicked in that you are talking about lithium ion batteries

[–] ddkman@lemm.ee 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Sorry, I should have put a dash in :D Li-ion. Also another i.

[–] Empricorn@feddit.nl 1 points 5 months ago

Rawr!

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