One solution: The hybrid solar-wind power plant.

FORBES: California's New Solar-Wind Hybrid Power Plant Greens The Grid

The Avalon wind project will generate up to 300 megawatts while the solar part of power plant will produce 100 megawatts.

FORBES: California's New Solar-Wind Hybrid Power Plant Greens The Grid

The good news was that the wind was blowing from the northwest and sending the smoke from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant over the Pacific Ocean.

FORBES: As Japan Nuclear Fears Rise, Faith In Government Plumments

For example, Lisa McNeilly, a collaborator on the report, said it might be cheaper for a rural town that currently does not have electricity to construct a wind or solar energy facility in the village instead of wiring in electricity from a power plant located a hundred miles away.

CNN: Developing countries encouraged to curb greenhouse gases

At any rate, a group of municipal power companies in the American Midwest reckon that building a wind-powered compressed-air plant to take advantage of the blustery Great Plains will be worthwhile.

ECONOMIST: Compressed air might help to make wind power more reliable