1. Grid operators in the U.S. are prepared for the total solar eclipse on April 8, monitoring for any shifts in power generation or demand.
2. The eclipse will pass over Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, causing a temporary reduction in solar power output.
3. The most significant impacts are expected in ERCOT and PJM, with preparations made to maintain grid reliability during the eclipse.
Grid operators in the U.S. are prepared for the total solar eclipse passing over North America on April 8. The eclipse will start on Mexico’s Pacific coast and then move up to the Northeast, affecting 13 U.S. states. NASA is live-tracking the eclipse, noting that totality will last for under four-and-a-half minutes.
The North American power system has been preparing for the eclipse due to the temporary reduction in solar power output it will cause. The addition of solar capacity since the last eclipse in 2017 has raised concerns. However, reliability impacts are not expected, particularly in regions with ample solar resources like Texas.
Major impacts from the eclipse are expected in ERCOT and PJM regions due to expected drops in solar generation. Both grid operators have implemented measures to address these challenges and ensure grid reliability during the eclipse. SPP, MISO, and ISO New England are also prepared for the eclipse, anticipating changes in solar output and ensuring grid stability. CAISO in the West is also ready for the partial eclipse’s impact on solar generation.
Overall, grid operators have put in place measures to manage the effects of the eclipse on solar power generation and ensure grid reliability during the event. The different regions have prepared for varying impacts of the eclipse based on the available solar resources and demand patterns in their areas.