Everyone loves complaining about electricity costs, right? Maybe not in Germany, where the country recently produced so much renewable energy that customers had to be paid to use electricity.
Yes, really.
For a few hours on a sunny, windy Sunday, May 8, Germany broke renewable energy records. Quartz reported that during the afternoon, "the country's solar, wind, hydro and biomass plants were supplying about 55 GW of the 63 GW being consumed, or 87 per cent."
The previous record was 78 per cent, achieved on July 25, 2015 which in turn broke the previous year's record of 74 per cent.
Sunday's surge, in a country where renewables generated nearly 33 per cent of electricity last year, sent prices into the negative zone for a few hours which meant that commercial customers were making money using power.
"Sunday’s spike in renewable output shows that wind and solar can keep pace with the demands of an economic powerhouse."
While great news for those industrial consumers, the takeaway for producers that lost money is the need for a more flexible grid, since the negative pricing was due to a surplus that couldn't be avoided. When solar and wind power suddenly increased, only the gas power plants could be taken offline as coal and nuclear plants can't cycle down quickly.
This will not be an issue in the future, however, if Germany manages to meet its Energiewende, or "energy transition," goal of 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050, an ambition that seems a lot more achievable now that they've neared 90 per cent, however briefly.
As Think Progress pointed out, "Germany is the fourth-largest economy on the planet... Sunday’s spike in renewable output shows that wind and solar can keep pace with the demands of an economic powerhouse."
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Renewable Energy Installations
GERMANY(01 of29)
The sun sets behind power-generating windmill turbines from a wind farm near the eastern German town of Dessau July 27, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) (credit:Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters)
GERMANY(02 of29)
A general overview shows a set of wind turbines near the German capital of Berlin August 12, 2009. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY) (credit:Tobias Schwarz / Reuters)
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PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Massive Solar Electricity Plant Provides Power To California Homes(04 of29)
PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: A solar receiver and boiler on top of a tower at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System are seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Massive Solar Electricity Plant Provides Power To California Homes(05 of29)
PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Pictures Of The Week Photo Gallery(06 of29)
Sunlight is reflected from panels at a solar plant of Ouarzazate, central Morocco, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Morocco's King Mohammed VI unveiled one of the world's biggest solar plants Thursday, taking advantage of the Sahara sunshine and a growing global push for renewable energy. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
EUROPA KLIMA ENERGIEPOLITIK(07 of29)
** FILE ** A June 6, 2006 aerial file photo of a wind generator plant in the village of Lisewo, northern Poland. The new European Union members hold great potential for solar, wind and biomass power, yet they remain far behind west European countries in adopting renewable energy. Sun-baked Bulgaria, windy Poland and farm-rich Hungary have thousands of megawatts in untapped renewable energy that the European Union wants used to fight global warming. (AP Photo/KFP, Kacper Kowalski) ** zu unserem Korr APD7806 ** (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
MOROCCO-SOLAR-ENRGY(08 of29)
An aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, some 20km (12.5 miles) outside the central Moroccan town of Ouarzazate on February 4, 2016. Noor 1 is one of the largest solar plants in the world, which is the first stage of a larger project designed to boost renewable energy production in Morocco. / AFP / FADEL SENNA (Photo credit should read FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FADEL SENNA via Getty Images)
MOROCCO-SOLAR-ENERGY-NOOR(09 of29)
A picture taken on February 4, 2016 shows an aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, some 20km (12.5 miles) outside the central Moroccan town of Ouarzazate, ahead of its inauguration. / AFP / FADEL SENNA (Photo credit should read FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FADEL SENNA via Getty Images)
Aerial Views Of The Primrose Solar Ltd Southwick PV Solar Plant(10 of29)
Solar panels sit in an array at the Southwick Estate Solar Farm, operated by Primrose Solar Ltd., near Fareham, U.K., on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. The plant, situated in 200 acres (81 hectares) of farmland, consists of 175,000 monocrystalline PV modules and has a capacity of 48 megawatts. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Aerial Views Of A Geoguem Solar Park Co. Power Plant(11 of29)
Solar panels stand at the Geogeum Solar Park Co. solar plant in this aerial photograph taken above Geogeum Island in Goheung, South Korea, on Friday, May 8, 2015. Global solar installations this year may exceed 60 gigawatts and surpass 68 gigawatts next year, according data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Aerial Views Of A Geoguem Solar Park Co. Power Plant(12 of29)
Solar panels stand at the Geogeum Solar Park Co. solar plant at Geogeum Island in Goheung, South Korea, on Friday, May 8, 2015. Global solar installations this year may exceed 60 gigawatts and surpass 68 gigawatts next year, according data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: Mirrors at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System are seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: A solar receiver and boiler on top of a tower at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System are seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Massive Solar Electricity Plant Provides Power To California Homes(16 of29)
PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: Mirrors at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System are seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: Mirrors at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System are seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Massive Solar Electricity Plant Provides Power To California Homes(19 of29)
PRIMM, NV - FEBRUARY 20: The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is seen in an aerial view on February 20, 2014 in the Mojave Desert in California near Primm, Nevada. The largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, owned by NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy, opened last week in the Ivanpah Dry Lake and uses 347,000 computer-controlled mirrors to focus sunlight onto boilers on top of three 459-foot towers, where water is heated to produce steam to power turbines providing power to more than 140,000 California homes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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Wind turbines sit in the North Sea at the London Array offshore wind farm, a partnership between Dong Energy A/S, E.ON AG and Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, in the Thames Estuary, U.K., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The London Array, east of London, has 175 Siemens turbines and a capacity of 630MW. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Aerial Views Of The London Array Offshore Windfarm(21 of29)
Wind turbines sit in the North Sea at the London Array offshore wind farm, a partnership between Dong Energy A/S, E.ON AG and Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, in the Thames Estuary, U.K., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The London Array, east of London, has 175 Siemens turbines and a capacity of 630MW. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Renewable Energies Growth Faster Than Predicted(22 of29)
BRIESELANG, GERMANY - JULY 06: In this aerial view electricity-producing wind turbines spin at a wind farm on July 6, 2015 near Brieselang, Germany. According to recent statistics renewable energy sources accounted for 33% of the electricity consumed in Germany in the first half of 2015, well ahead of previous predictions set by the federal government. The German government has been actively promoting renewables as Germany disengages itself from nuclear power and previous goals of 35% by 2020 and 40-45% by 2025 now seem well-attainable. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Sean Gallup via Getty Images)
General Economy In Jeju As South Korea Set Extra Budget To Help Hospitals And Tourism Affected by MERS(23 of29)
A wind turbine stands in this aerial photograph taken above the Haengwon Wind Farm in Jeju, South Korea, on Sunday, June 28, 2015. South Koreaâs 15 trillion won ($13.3 billion) extra budget will channel money to the medical and tourism sectors as the Park administration seeks to cushion the impact of a deadly respiratory disease. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
London Array, The World's Largest Wind Farm(24 of29)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 03: Aerial view of the London Array, an off-shore wind farm in the Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom on February 03, 2014. The world's largest wind farm is a partnership between Dong Energy A/S, E.ON AG and Masdar. Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Trutschel via Getty Images)
A picture taken from a helicopter shows(25 of29)
A picture taken from a helicopter shows wind turbines at the Belwind wind farm, the first renewable electricity central in Belgium, in the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, on December 9, 2010. AFP PHOTO BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK (Photo credit should read NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
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Japan, Hokkaido, Wakkanai, Aerial view of Soya Cape and windmill. (Photo by: JTB Photo/UIG via Getty Images) (credit:JTB Photo via Getty Images)
The altenative energies in California, United States in October, 1996.(27 of29)
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 01: The altenative energies in California, United States in October, 1996 - Wind farms of Tehachapi. (Photo by Raphael GAILLARDE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) (credit:Raphael GAILLARDE via Getty Images)
Aerial Views Of The Primrose Solar Ltd Southwick PV Solar Plant(28 of29)
Solar panels sit in an array at the Southwick Estate Solar Farm, operated by Primrose Solar Ltd., near Fareham, U.K., on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. The plant, situated in 200 acres (81 hectares) of farmland, consists of 175,000 monocrystalline PV modules and has a capacity of 48 megawatts. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Farming Energy(29 of29)
Gemasolar Solar furnace near Seville, Spain. The mirrors focus the sun onto a tower where the heat melts salt. This stored heat is used to power turbines (credit:Michael Phillips via Getty Images)