TechnicalUp to date · Jan 15, 2026
Curtailment
The intentional reduction of renewable energy output below what the resource could produce, typically because the grid cannot absorb the excess generation.
Why It Matters
Curtailment wastes clean energy. In California, solar curtailment reached over 2.4 million MWh in 2023. Battery storage is the primary solution — storing surplus instead of wasting it.
Related Terms
Duck Curve
A graph of net electricity demand that shows a deep midday dip (from solar overproduction) and a steep evening ramp (as solar drops off and demand peaks), shaped like a duck.
Battery Storage
A system that stores excess solar energy for use when the sun isn't shining, providing backup power during outages.