Monday’s total solar eclipse left a noticeable impact on the state’s power production, as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas reported a drop in power production during the celestial event.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power generation metrics acquired by Fox 4 KDFW on April 8 revealed the extent of the impact. At about 12:15 p.m., the power grid had over 64,000 MW of capacity at the beginning of the eclipse, dropping to 54,000 MW at totality for North Texas at around 1:40 p.m.
Solar power generation also dropped from 12,000 MW to just over 3,000 MW at 2 p.m., reported Fox 4, but it rebounded soon after the sun was no longer in the moon’s shadow. Wind power generation also dropped about 50% that day.
As expected, no power distribution disruptions were recorded as supply outpaced demand. Still, the eclipse highlighted the potential problems with renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
“As far as solar farms being damaged where hail and tornadoes are common, those companies knowingly run the risk of building solar panel farms in these areas,” said Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) spokesperson Emily Matthews, speaking with Fox News Digital after a storm ripped through a solar plant in Nehls’ district.
“Events like this underscore the importance of having an all-of-the-above energy approach to meet our energy needs and showcase how our country cannot solely rely on or fully transition to renewable energy sources like this,” Matthews said.
Venues and cities across Texas were treated to the sight of a rare total solar eclipse after months of preparations. ERCOT announced in March that while it expected some impacts to solar power between 12:10 p.m. and 3:10 p.m., there were no grid reliability concerns, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.