The upcoming solar eclipse on August 21st may have more gravitas than neat pictures. Across the country, percentage of total sunlight blocked will vary from 50% to total darkness for approximately 3 minutes - spanning its full course from Oregon to South Carolina in a matter of 90 minutes. Granted its impact on daily activity will likely be minimal, photovoltaic generators across the country will have a much lower energy output. North Carolina has the largest amount of generator capacity that will be in the 90% darkness band, which provides with state with 3.1% of its electricity generation. However, California will be the hardest hit with a direct reduction of 4.2 GW statewide and is projected to even slightly darken the state for about 2.5 hours mid-morning.
Solar Energy Gaining Colossal Momentum
Renewable energy opportunities have historically fallen as the "little brother" to mainstream energy sources such as coal and natural gas. Although some advancements have been made in the storage arena, the cost to supply the same power needs all-in just weren't comparable. However, Tucson Electric signed a deal this past week to supply solar and storage at 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour over the next 20 years. "That's less than half the price of retail electricity power and a price low enough to compete with natural gas, coal, and nuclear power head to head in wholesale markets for what some might call 'baseload' power." The economics of this deal have the potential of exponential growth for solar energy around the world so long as the cost to produce & store it stays below other energy sources.