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How are solar power and wind power unreliable?

In: Environmental Issues, Renewable Energy, Wind Power [Edit categories]

Answer:

Solar Panel Issues Include

Solar energy is not available 24 hours a day
Cloudy weather reduces solar output
Dust on solar panels reduce the power output
As temperature of the solar panel increase their efficiency decreases

Wind Power Issues Include

Wind energy is not available 24 hours a day
Wind power must be stored or put into a dummy load otherwise the generator will break.
Wind strength is variable.
Bird and bat strikes

Alternative energy strengths

Geographically distributed alternative energy improves its overall availability
Alternative energy into the electricity grid eliminates the need for local storage
Solar thermal energy can be stored in salt ponds to extend operating hours.
Excess alternative energy can be used for peaking power plants such as 2 level dams and hydro electricity.
Solar energy output and grid energy demand both closely follow temperature in warm climates. E.g. above 18 degrees Celsius.

Contributor:

N2146X

First answer by Matthewbulat. Last edit by Matthewbulat. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

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