[Cheese]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Another thing to consider is that solar and wind must be always buffeted with new coal or gas generation to make up for the times when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing and also to meet the peak demand period.

Natural Gas generation does not need to be backed up, except by more gas production.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-to-use-solar-energy-at-night

What do you do when the sun is not shining and at night?
The answer: store sunlight as heat energy for such a rainy day.
Part of a so-called parabolic trough solar-thermal power plant, the salts will soon help the facility light up the night—literally.

During part of 2008 wind provided almost 40 per cent of Spain’s power. Areas of northern Germany generate more electricity from wind than they require to meet their needs. Northern Scotland could easily generate 10 or even 15 per cent of the UK’s needs for electricity at a cost that would match today’s fossil fuel prices.

http://energybusinessdaily.com/renew...-energy-myths/