Electric grids across the U.S. are anticipating a rapid decline in solar generation during Monday’s total solar eclipse, which will span multiple states.
NASA estimates the path of totality — when the sun is fully blocked by the moon somewhere in the country– will last from 11:30 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. Pacific time.
Utilities in Texas, the Midwest and New England will be most impacted, but California is not immune, even though it is farther away from the path of totality.
Grid-scale solar generation in California is expected to drop by 6,349 megawatts — nearly half of total solar generation — over nearly one and a half hours.
The California Independent System Operator plans to meet this challenge by ensuring sufficient natural gas and hydropower resources are available and by potentially restricting routine maintenance.
Reuters contributed to this article.
