You actually don't even really need the batteries. Israeli utility scale desal is designed to operate in variable mode, in their case they run about 10% capacit

You actually don't even really need the batteries. Israeli utility scale desal is designed to operate in variable mode, in their case they run about 10% capacity during summer days and 100% during summer nights. Their grid peaks are air conditioning dominated which is why that pattern. It does mean much larger service water tanks as you need to buffer demand but if you have lots of "free" solar power then it may well be worth it.