The Hidden Side of the Solar Eclipse

A short post created for an UPS employee sustainability engagement group intended to spark conversation and dialogue:

As we gear up for the solar eclipse, there are some interesting aspects relating to energy that we may not realize.

In an NPR's Morning Edition story, they explored at the negative impact of the solar eclipse on California's energy supply. As the article states, California is home to nearly half of all the solar power in the country, resulting in a significant dip in the energy supply with even the partial loss of the sun.

The solar eclipse's anticipated impact on energy is based on how solar panels are already affected by cloud coverage. As clouds come and go, energy output increases and decreases. Hence, if solar panels are in the path of totality during the eclipse, energy output plummets. Solar power now comprises as much as 40 percent of California's power supply. While the solar eclipse only lasts for a few minutes, the article states that "the moon's shadow will partially obscure the sun for several hours," and adds, "California expects solar power output to be cut roughly in half over that time."

During the eclipse, buildings that normally depend on rooftop solar may need to switch to grid power instead. And big utility-scale solar farms will be impacted, too. All in all, California will need to fill a power gap that will be equal to what six million homes use.

So what is California's contingency plan? You can read all about it in the full article here.

Is your workplace affected by the solar eclipse? Share your comments below.