California's unexpected energy challenge: too much solar

As California works toward its ambitious clean energy vision, an almost counterintuitive challenge has emerged: The state is, at times, generating more solar energy than it can handle. It’s to the point where loads of clean energy are going to waste. NBC News' Liz Kreutz reports.

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[AshleyMarks-]

It’s not too much solar. It’s the lack of sustainable storage at both the individual and market level.

[ginsugray]

Let's be clear... no one is throwing away solar rays. The reporter is oversimplifying this to the point that is makes no sense.

[algoribbon]

Free energy is bad for greedy energy companies

[chillguy]

Then install battery storage. We’re heading into an era of renewable abundance

[laurasteinbrink]

You really could have taken a different angle on this story. Very disappointing.

[MrGhosthacked]

This video doesn't make ANY sense - isn't the point to have more energy than you need?

[JoeAldridge-ci]

Completely wrong. Not enough storage capacity.

[Saiyajin]

That’s a good news. Without the panels, the sunlight will be put to waste anyway 😂

[Papous]

if it's so abundant, why is the price of electicity not going down?

[bullyboy]

Too much energy should mean cheaper energy for California.

[jackwindensky]

I'm confused. They never mentioned what the actual problem was with having too much solar.

[winchestersons]

Added a bunch of panels at my house and added a battery backup. Its the only way to do it. Looking to get a power wall

[BangaloreTrafficMadness]

So its a storage problem. Solve that in parallel

[thedownwardmachine]

Fun fact: hydro power is basically a giant battery, since they can release more or less water as power is needed. It's also clean solar energy and renewable.

[madbug]

Why are our PG&E electrical bills so high?

[DavidWoods-pt]

In Australia now.

We were told to get solar, then we got paid for adding power to the grid .

Now in Sydney, you’ll get fined for putting power into the grid in peak producing hours …

You can’t win it …

[orderfirst]

You know what can solve this problem? Encourage work from home. Give companies tax breaks to hire for and give employees work from jobs.

[kasondaleigh]

Outdated infrastructure because energy companies are too cheap to update and innovate. Grid upkeep should be mandated and regulated.

[landon]

I really feel like this is a really SIMPLE fix 😂😂😂.... more energy storage facilities duh

[PCRyder]

For once. A good problem California has.