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France's Solar Power Generation Hits Record High on Friday
Golden Ten Data reported on May 8 that France's solar power generation reached a record high on Friday, surpassing grid operator forecasts and pushing electricity prices into negative territory.
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LampLighter
Joined 2013/04/13Visited 2026/05/09
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Wind, solar, and storage free us from fossil-fueled wars and price spikes. Renewable energy = energy independence.[image or embed] -- Senator Ed Markey (@markey.senate.gov) May 7, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Wind, solar, and storage free us from fossil-fueled wars and price spikes. Renewable energy = energy independence.[image or embed]
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... According to data from French grid operator RTE, solar power generation rose to about 20 million kilowatts (20 GW). Usually, strong expectations for solar power generation depress next-day electricity prices into the negative ahead of time, as the market factors in excess supply in advance. However, due to the sudden nature of this record growth, this did not happen on Thursday; only intraday electricity prices on Friday dropped below zero. RTE data shows that France's nuclear power generation remains at a high level of about 33 million kilowatts (33 GW). In recent weeks, French power companies have maintained reactor operation at the request of grid operators to stabilize the system, despite sharp declines in electricity prices. Around midday on Friday, the combined electricity output from solar and nuclear sources exceeded demand by about 10 million kilowatts (10 GW). This surplus electricity was exported to neighboring countries.``` ...
However, due to the sudden nature of this record growth, this did not happen on Thursday; only intraday electricity prices on Friday dropped below zero.
RTE data shows that France's nuclear power generation remains at a high level of about 33 million kilowatts (33 GW). In recent weeks, French power companies have maintained reactor operation at the request of grid operators to stabilize the system, despite sharp declines in electricity prices. Around midday on Friday, the combined electricity output from solar and nuclear sources exceeded demand by about 10 million kilowatts (10 GW). This surplus electricity was exported to neighboring countries.``` ...
#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-08 07:07 PM | Reply
"Yeah but coal"
Thc usual -------
#2 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-05-08 07:10 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2
pushing electricity prices into negative territory.
Good thing we don't have that here. Lower energy prices are bad for America. --Republicans
#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-05-08 09:27 PM | Reply
Higher energy prices are good for California. --CA Democrats
#4 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-05-08 09:38 PM | Reply
surpassing grid operator forecasts and pushing electricity prices into negative territory.
Its negative because there's no where to store the excess energy. This isn't a win... its speaks to the volatility of the source, and the lack of planning by their EC equivalent.
#5 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-05-08 09:40 PM | Reply
@#1 ... According to data from French grid operator RTE, solar power generation rose to about 20 million kilowatts (20 GW). Usually, strong expectations for solar power generation depress next-day electricity prices into the negative ahead of time, as the market factors in excess supply in advance. ..
Yeah, maybe store that excess energy?
Battery technology. Who would have thought?
What a concept!
Or maybe, just rely on the old Big Oil billionaires for energy?
#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-08 10:11 PM | Reply
OK, my first question, among many, ...
If solar power has resulted in a [transitory] period of negative power cost, why does Pres Trump seem to be so against solar power?
#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-09 12:01 AM | Reply
America. #3 | Posted by snoofy
California. #4 | Posted by oneironaut
Now there's a sensible comparison! I wonder which one of those drives national energy policy, and which one submits to national energy policy.
#8 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-05-09 11:45 AM | Reply
Where the base load comes from:
GOOGLE AI Overview
France generates the vast majority of its electricity from nuclear power, which accounted for approximately 65%"67% of total production in 2024, providing the country with one of the lowest-carbon power grids in the world. The remainder is primarily sourced from hydropower, natural gas, and, to a lesser extent, wind and solar power
#9 | Posted by MSgt at 2026-05-09 11:46 AM | Reply
^ This is what a diversified energy portfolio looks like. Something we sorely lack. Thanks to Trumpers (see onionsnot).
#10 | Posted by horstngraben at 2026-05-09 12:36 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1
Modeling our energy after France would be a disaster.
#11 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-05-09 01:21 PM | Reply
So pedoringer is an energy policy expert now?
#12 | Posted by jpw at 2026-05-09 02:21 PM | Reply
Modeling our energy after France would be a disaster. #11 | Posted by BellRinger
Again, you make a distraction to obscure the actual point.
According to Republicans, having a national energy policy in any shape or form would be a disaster.
The United States is the single largest external factor the Jihadists use to their stranglehold on power in the Middle East. Through American demand for oil.
#13 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-05-09 02:49 PM | Reply
The United States is the single largest external factor the Jihadists Gulf State oligarchs use to their stranglehold on power in the Middle East. Through American demand for oil.
The status quo fat cat Gulf oligarchies do not care for the "jihadists" as they present a danger to their regimes as well.
The real power in the Middle East are the sheikhs and emirs and their wealth and oil ownership.
#14 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-05-09 03:08 PM | Reply
Of course. I was trying to speak to Republicans in language they can understand. Later, I'll be banging my head against a brick wall; it's just as effective.
#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-05-09 03:17 PM | Reply
Ten-four, Old Fruit!
#16 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-05-09 04:57 PM | Reply
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