Solar Storage
The peak power output of many renewable energy systems (wind, photovoltaic) does not occur when the energy is most needed and therefore a method for storing this energy becomes an integral and necessary part of the solar power system. Lead acid batteries are the most commonly used storage system at this time, but development is underway on more efficient storage systems, such as zinc-bromine and lithium-ion batteries, ultra-capacitor modules, flywheels, and hydrogen fuel cells. Solar thermal facilities that also generate peak power at times that do not coincide with peak demand require a different storage strategy because heat is being stored. Typically thermal solar facilities store the excess heat in molten salt in tubes or tanks. Energy storage systems are, therefore, an integral part of the highest efficiency renewable energy generating facilities.

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