...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY ...

California prepares for solar power loss during the Great Eclipse

By Laura Geggel

A total solar eclipse that will sweep across the United States on Aug. 21 is expected to make a noticeable dent in solar-energy collection, prompting energy workers to concoct workarounds that will help them meet energy demands while the eclipse passes overhead.

Utility workers already have a game plan in California, where 9 percent of electricity came from utility-scale solar plants in 2016. During the eclipse, when the sun disappears behind the moon, power grid workers plan to ramp up energy output from other sources, including from hydroelectricity and natural gas, and then quickly reintroduce solar power as the sun reappears.

In all, California's residents shouldn't notice a difference in their power supply during the duration of the eclipse, said Steven Greenlee, a spokesman for California Independent System Operator (ISO), a nonprofit that manages California's power grid.

The solar eclipse won't pass directly over California, but it will still affect the state's solar energy grid, particularly from 10:19 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. local time on Aug. 21. Credit: California ISO

Even though the eclipse isn't passing directly over California — it's traveling in a curved path from Oregon to South Carolina — it will still affect the Golden State, which has nearly half of the nation's solar-electricity-generating capacity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

"The solar eclipse is farther north of us, but we will see between 50 [percent] and 75 percent of solar production from our solar plants reduced during that [time]" Greenlee told Live Science.

Report a Typo

Continue Reading on LiveScience.com >

Astronomy

More Weather News

Storm unleashes ice, heavy rain and flood risk as drastic temperature swings occur in northeastern US

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 3:13:27 PM EST

While Arctic air will leave quickly enough to allow a dramatic rise in temperature, a storm will continue to bring locally heavy rain with ice at the onset in some locations and a change back to snow in other areas of the Northeast into Thursday.
Drenching storm to cause flooding, travel issues in southeastern US into Thursday

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 3:10:31 PM EST

A slow-moving storm will drench the southern United States and raise the risk of localized flooding into Thursday.
UK: Powerful storm to strike this weekend following 1st widespread snowfall of the year

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 11:20:29 AM EST

A storm from the Atlantic will bring the risk for rain, snow and damaging winds this weekend.
Rounds of strong winds to blast Southern California in final days of January

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 11:47:12 AM EST

Residents of Southern California will endure another round of winds strong enough to cause power outages and travel disruptions during the final days of January.
Photos: Niagara Falls transforms into majestic winter wonderland following Arctic blast

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 2:31:22 PM EST

The frigid conditions in recent weeks have covered the Niagara Falls with snow and ice. Despite the cold, many tourists have visited and have snapped breathtaking photos of the winter display.
Dangerous heat to descend on 2019 Australian Open as heat wave expands its grip

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 12:06:55 PM EST

The most extreme heat of the tournament is expected on Thursday and Friday.
Deadly crash claims life of 19-year-old Kansas woman amid Midwest snowstorm as Detroit Metropolitan Airport closes

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 11:27:31 AM EST

A winter storm that stretched from the Central states to the Upper Midwest on Tuesday induced numerous travel delays and accidents.
Mediterranean storm to slam Italy, Balkan Peninsula later this week

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 8:40:13 AM EST

Heavy rain and snow will impact much of Italy and the Balkan Peninsula from Thursday into this weekend.
Storm unleashes ice, heavy rain and flood risk as drastic temperature swings occur in northeastern US

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 3:13:27 PM EST

While Arctic air will leave quickly enough to allow a dramatic rise in temperature, a storm will continue to bring locally heavy rain with ice at the onset in some locations and a change back to snow in other areas of the Northeast into Thursday.
Drenching storm to cause flooding, travel issues in southeastern US into Thursday

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 3:10:31 PM EST

A slow-moving storm will drench the southern United States and raise the risk of localized flooding into Thursday.
UK: Powerful storm to strike this weekend following 1st widespread snowfall of the year

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 11:20:29 AM EST

A storm from the Atlantic will bring the risk for rain, snow and damaging winds this weekend.
Rounds of strong winds to blast Southern California in final days of January

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 11:47:12 AM EST

Residents of Southern California will endure another round of winds strong enough to cause power outages and travel disruptions during the final days of January.
Photos: Niagara Falls transforms into majestic winter wonderland following Arctic blast

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 2:31:22 PM EST

The frigid conditions in recent weeks have covered the Niagara Falls with snow and ice. Despite the cold, many tourists have visited and have snapped breathtaking photos of the winter display.
Dangerous heat to descend on 2019 Australian Open as heat wave expands its grip

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 12:06:55 PM EST

The most extreme heat of the tournament is expected on Thursday and Friday.
Deadly crash claims life of 19-year-old Kansas woman amid Midwest snowstorm as Detroit Metropolitan Airport closes

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 11:27:31 AM EST

A winter storm that stretched from the Central states to the Upper Midwest on Tuesday induced numerous travel delays and accidents.
Mediterranean storm to slam Italy, Balkan Peninsula later this week

Weather News - January 23, 2019, 8:40:13 AM EST

Heavy rain and snow will impact much of Italy and the Balkan Peninsula from Thursday into this weekend.