The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained

The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained

The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained The duck curve—named after its resemblance to a duck—shows the difference in electricity demand and the amount of available solar energy throughout the day. The curve of the duck is a graph showing the irregular difference between the demand for electricity and the production of solar power over a typical day.

The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained

The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained The duck curve is a graph of power production over the course of a day that shows the timing imbalance between peak demand and solar power generation. the graph resembles a sitting duck, and thus the term was created. [2]. Let’s explore the duck curve, how renewable energy curtailments are used to “flatten the duck,” and what all this means for your market strategies. Since solar power relies on the sun, peak solar production occurs around midday, when electricity demand is often on the lower end. as a result, energy production is higher than it needs to be, and net demand—total demand minus wind and solar production—falls. The upper blue curve is the total demand and the gray curve is the solar power generation. the difference between the two – i.e., all power provided by – is shown by the orange curve (from ’s duck curve page).

The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained

The Solar Power Duck Curve Explained Since solar power relies on the sun, peak solar production occurs around midday, when electricity demand is often on the lower end. as a result, energy production is higher than it needs to be, and net demand—total demand minus wind and solar production—falls. The upper blue curve is the total demand and the gray curve is the solar power generation. the difference between the two – i.e., all power provided by – is shown by the orange curve (from ’s duck curve page). How does rooftop solar affect the duck curve? rooftop solar deepens the "belly" of the duck curve, because it adds a lot of energy to the grid when demand is low. The duck curve, a visual representation of the mismatch between solar power generation and electricity demand, presents significant challenges to the stability and reliability of our power grids. For now the duck curve is still a measure of the challenges facing grids from the rise of solar power—but it may come to be seen as a representation of the opportunities that virtually free electricity provides. When solar capacity approaches this level, grid operators face difficulties balancing electricity supply and demand, leading to inefficiencies and financial implications. this phenomenon is closely tied to a concept known as the duck curve.

The 'duck curve' is solar energy's greatest challenge