Solar Eclipse Goal: ‘Do Your Thing for the Sun’
Monday’s total solar eclipse will pass over the Pacific Northwest, with a partial eclipse visible in California. The eclipse will impact solar resources that supply power to the grid, causing a loss of about 4,200 megawatts (MW) of California’s large scale solar electricity, with more than 6,000 MW of solar power needing to be made up with other energy resources.
About 10 percent of the power Southern California Edison (SCE) provides to customers comes from solar, but SCE does not anticipate any disruption in service to its customers. However, the reduction in solar power means that other energy resources will need to be relied upon to meet energy needs during the eclipse. The California Independent System Operator (California ISO) maintains grid reliability and is working to make sure enough resources are ready to handle power needs during the eclipse by coordinating with gas and thermal generators, and the state’s hydropower plants.
While the utilities and grid operator have all the tools necessary to manage the grid during the eclipse, consumers should always use energy wisely to make the grid more reliable. Californians can make an effort to reduce energy usage in their homes and businesses in preparation for the eclipse event by participating in the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) pledge to 'Do Your Thing for the Sun'
The 'Do Your Thing for the Sun' campaign asks all Californians to take one action to reduce electricity usage so that we burn fewer fossil fuels when solar energy production dips during the eclipse. The campaign is an effort to engage all Californians and demonstrate that working together to do one small thing to reduce energy usage can have a major impact on the environment. Take the Pledge today to join others in conserving energy and reducing the need for fossil fuel electricity generation.
The CPUC has a website, caleclipse.org, for more information on conservation during the eclipse. The website is a partnership between the California Energy Commission, the CPUC and the California ISO. The California ISO has a webpage on eclipse-related matters including links to fact sheets, forecasts, safe viewing tips and a live feed showing the path of the eclipse as it moves across the United States.