California has so much solar power it's throwing it away

[LiberaBlueDem]

7. Nukes are 35% efficient

So there is 65% waste, and like you say "in particular those that produce electricity when it isn't needed.... are the problem."

Since nukes run 24/7 that means a lot of the time nukes produce electricity when it isn't needed. That's where batteries come in to play, maybe even saving nukes.

Then there is all that waste heat sent into the air. Nukes burn as high as 5,000 degrees. Plus it takes tons of water to keep nukes from melting. Whereas solar takes heat out of the air, makes electricity, and only releases that energy when the electricity is used. That is zero-sum power.