On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, from the west of Mexico all the way to Newfoundland in Canada. Since solar power continues to grow across the United States, the impending eclipse has people wondering how much it will affect power generation across the country. In particular, the path of totality will cross Texas and the southern state continues to lead in solar generation, having surpassed California in 2022.
The good thing about eclipses is that they are extremely predictable. Humans do not even need computers or our current understanding of the cosmos to work out when and where eclipses will happen. We have been predicting them for 25 centuries, so grid operators are expecting a drop in power and are planning accordingly.
While the Sun will be completely obscured for just over four minutes in the path of totality, the whole transit of the Moon lasts a couple of hours, certainly reducing the amount of sunlight available for solar panels.
Other power plants are ready to provide the energy that is missed during the eclipse. During the 2017 Great American Eclipse, natural gas and hydropower resources ramped up to meet demands. On top of that, electricity storage solutions are also at the ready.
The same factors should apply to households that generate their own electricity with solar panels. They should not experience loss of power, as the eclipse is equivalent to a long dark thunderstorm in terms of how much sunlight the panels get. Grid and storage power can easily balance what’s missed out.
Though there might be a dip in power generation, solar eclipses are not dangerous – unless you look at the Sun without protection before totality. And trust us, you’ll know when it’s totality. Still, they are rare events, so it is expected that millions of people will move into the path of totality, and it is very important to be prepared.
Authorities are getting ready for the influx of visitors and giving appropriate warnings, from telling locals – especially in small towns – to stock up on essentials and fuels, to making sure people understand the potential risks of driving after an eclipse. The eclipse might affect air traffic too, though again, not directly.
So if you are planning to be on the path of totality, be aware, be prepared, and please do not look directly at the Sun without proper glasses.
Source Link: How Will The Solar Eclipse Affect Solar Power Generation?
