But my net negative power usage from the grid means that I’m using less energy than I feed in when it isn’t shinning out.
Grid scale batteries do not exist yet, outside of pumped hydro. And honestly, they might never exist (Sodium Batteries in 2 or 3 years are our best bet at grid-scale energy, but maybe that’s not good enough. We dont know because they don’t exist yet).
So, it. Balances out
No. If there’s no grid energy storage mechanism, then the power is wasted during the day, and the natural gas spins up at night.
Apologies if you’re not aware that the grid isn’t a magical energy storage device. But… it isn’t. The tech for energy storage does not feasibly exist yet on any large scale.
Wind is an option but only in windy areas and windy times
So, it. Balances out. (And in the near future I’ll get a residential battery for night. Those are freaking expensive, though.)
I wouldn’t bother. When battery storage tech becomes feasible, the utility companies will buy it for the whole grid. Residential batteries are just for those who are tricking themselves into thinking these things are feasible.
The #1 “battery” is pumped Hydro right now. No joke. Running water up a hill with excess electricity absolutely works as an energy storage mechanism. The best battery techs will be exceptionally large systems (Pumped Hydro. Compressed Air, etc. etc.) that take advantage of these effects.
Even “Wind” energy is actually an energy storage solution due to the massive momentum the wind turbine arms have. So unlike Solar, a lot of Wind plants self-regulate and self-store their energy.
Alas, the most problematic part of the energy curve is the “Duck Curve”, of which only natural gas has been identified as a solution so far.
The setting of the sun does not coincide with higher winds. The elevated winds are deep at night when everyone’s asleep but the grid is actually 1/2 power usage IIRC compared to daytime usage. Not really the 7pm period where solar grossly diminishes (sun is low enough that solar barely contributes anymore), but the day is hot enough that Air Conditioners run, and everyone is home doing laundry or other energy-costly tasks since they’re still awake.