Today’s LiveWire Spotlight examines a NERC White Paper which forecasts the potential impact of the August 21 solar eclipse crossing the continental U.S. on Bulk Electric System generation capacity. The analysis finds that Utah, California, and North Carolina will be most affected by the eclipse, losing between 13% and 24% of total capacity.
Although the August solar eclipse is not expected to have a major impact on the BES, the risk will increase as solar generation becomes a greater part of the capacity mix. Another total eclipse will occur in 2024 – which will be a greater concern.