Solar power peaks can cancel out evening energy costs

The power grids of Spain and Portugal have achieved a feat of market physics that was long thought impossible. By flooding the network with 30 gigawatts of solar capacity, they have effectively broken the link between expensive natural gas and consumer bills. During the bright midday hours, solar panels now generate 25 percent of the region's electricity, creating a surplus that drives wholesale prices toward zero and offsets the traditional evening cost spikes.