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Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

  • 1.  Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-04-2024 07:36 AM
    Edited by Ella Nielsen 04-04-2024 08:36 AM

    In the last ASES Solar@Work newsletter we asked: Will the solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    What do you all think? Will the solar eclipse affect solar energy?  Post a photo of the graph of your solar production during the eclipse and share it with us!  

    On April 8, 2024, North America will witness a rare event – a complete solar eclipse. As we celebrate the sun that nurtures our homes, crops, and spirit, let's also take a step towards accelerating solar adoption for all. See how much of the eclipse you can be seen in your area: https://eclipse-explorer.smce.nasa.gov/

    Join us in donating to support this mission, and your contribution will be doubled! A generous anonymous donor has pledged to match all funds up to $25,000.

    Consider donating to the American Solar Energy Society's (ASES) General Fund or Solar Today Magazine – Please reach out if I can provide more information. Donations are matched until April 8. Support our mission today!


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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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  • 2.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-08-2024 01:22 PM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 04-08-2024 04:55 PM

    Hey Ella, 

    We just witnessed  the eclipse here in Alabama with 88% totality.  Our chickens, and pigeons started acting funny as the sky grew dark, with shadows jumping about.  I did go track the solar arrays for a bit,  and the solar electricity did decrease during the eclipse. I am sure on larger solar installations the solar would be way less along the line of totality for sure. Right now we are enjoying the post eclipse after party here with Dr.Tamitha Skov on  Youtube Live. 



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    Timothy Mcbride
    CEOOwner
    Sol-Era R & D
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  • 3.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-08-2024 01:27 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing this, Timothy! Adding @Debbie Coleman for visibility!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-08-2024 08:03 PM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 04-08-2024 08:06 PM

    Sure thing!   The eclipse was grand as a very all-encompassing event in the very heart of America.  A true real time astronomical phenomenon that brought the people together on Earth, yet between a Moon and a Star.  Here is another resource am sure folks will enjoy watching as we did earlier on this very eventful yet somewhat chaotic day. 

    2024 Total Solar Eclipse Live Stream /w Anton Petrov (Live Commentary and Cheesy Jokes)

     



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    Timothy Mcbride
    CEOOwner
    Sol-Era R & D
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Posted 04-09-2024 10:48 AM
    I have 11 - 250 W microinverters that I monitored yesterday, while we were in a 96.5% totality eclipse. About 15 minutes before the total eclipse the output radically dropped from produce around 2,480 W down to a total of 74 W.  My outputs varied from 2 to 10 W with most of them in the 7 W range.  They responded, but it probably was about 1-1/2 later before they were back at what might be considered 'normal'.  https://easyview.auroravision.net/easyview/index.html?entityId=2049494  
    (The break between 12:45 and 2 unfortunately had nothing to do with the eclipse, but most likely issues with Solar One microinverters' monitoring.  It occasionally does this for a bit and then performs the way it should for a week or two.)



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-09-2024 10:52 AM

    Wow! Very interesting. Thank you for sharing, Michael!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Posted 04-10-2024 09:32 AM
      |   view attached
    Screenshot from my system, in Ohio where totality lasted about 2 minutes.  It ramps down during approach to totality, stops at about 10 watts during totality, then ramps back up to normal.



    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Solar eclipse effect on PV system 4 08 24.pdf   256 KB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-10-2024 09:47 AM

    Very cool! Thank you so much for sharing, James!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Posted 04-11-2024 11:25 AM

    James, this is a perfect presentation of how a total eclipse can and does effect solar PV production.

    Thanks for posting!



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    Glenn Bowman
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Posted 04-09-2024 10:52 AM
    The microinverters are Power-One, not Solar-one. 
    Please excuse my error.



    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Will the April 8 solar eclipse affect solar energy?

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 04-11-2024 07:09 PM

    Does it effect PV production? Of course. SO does cloud cover, nighttime, component failure, etc..

    Now does the eclipse have a real "dent" in a sunny days production? Not really.

    But, did the totality effect me? That would be an indescribable YES:

    2024 eclipse Fairfield Bay, AR.
    2024 eclipse Fairfield Bay, AR.
    Just a couple of shots. I am going to write an article about it. A photo expose and written as well, non technical for the most part, and tie it into RE as well. Probably take me a week or two. Well over 100 shots from multiple cameras to go through. Even some traditional film as well...
    And yes, I chased the eclipse down to Arkansas. 100% clear sky. Unbelievable event, 4min 15 sec... ~2600 miles of driving.... Very tiring...



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    william fitch
    Owner
    www.WeAreSolar.com
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