SAT Question 1107e7dc: Words In Context answer and explanation

English - Words In Context - Fill In Blank Multi Word Phrase
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Economists often assert that countries looking to increase their reliance on solar energy should expand their capacity for storage; having an ample reserve of stored energy can mitigate the effects of ______ solar energy collection caused by unpredictable shifts in cloud cover and haze.
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Difficulty:Medium
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?