Electricity from wind and solar power is outstripping demand at certain times of the day and the resulting fall in power prices is causing problems for German , Australian and US power companies . Negative readings occur during midday sun or early morning sun when demand is low . That means power firms have to close plants , a difficulty for coal and gas plants that can not be be switched on and off quickly . The problem is most apparent in Germany and happens less in the US , apart from California . With wind and solar farms sprouting up in more areas — and their power getting priority to feed into the grid in many places — the amount of electricity being generated is outstripping demand during certain hours of the day. In Australia , however , energy company Origin has built gas plants that can close at short notice .
Electricity from wind and solar power is outstripping demand at certain times of the day and the resulting fall in power prices is causing problems for German , Australian and US power companies . Negative readings occur during midday sun or early morning sun when demand is low . That means power firms have to close plants , a difficulty for coal and gas plants that can not be be switched on and off quickly . The problem is most apparent in Germany and happens less in the US , apart from California . In Australia , however , energy company Origin has built gas plants that can close at short notice .