ERCOT working to avoid disruption of solar eclipse 2024 on solar power

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) discussed potential plans for the upcoming solar eclipse in April at a March 7 meeting of the Reliability and Operations Subcommittee (ROS).

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) discussed potential plans for the upcoming solar eclipse in April at a March 7 meeting of the Reliability and Operations Subcommittee (ROS).

During the meeting, two ERCOT employees presented "resource forecasting and analysis" to the subcommittee. Their report said that the eclipse will be over Texas from 12:10 p.m. to 3:10 p.m., and will reduce solar energy production for areas under the eclipse's path, down to an estimated 7.6% of maximum generation.

On April 8, 2023, the recorded generation from Texas solar during that same three-hour period was around 30,000 megawatts, according to ERCOT data. However, Texas' solar energy infrastructure expanded in 2023, reaching a maximum statewide generation of around 21,100 megawatts at the start of 2024.

A spokesperson for ERCOT told KXAN on Wednesday that it is not expecting "grid reliability concerns during the eclipse."

"ERCOT is proactively working on forecasting models to reflect reduced solar power production," an ERCOT spokesperson said. "ERCOT will continue to monitor conditions and keep the public informed through our communications channels."

While the drop in solar is dramatic, the presentation states that "ERCOT will pre-posture the system as necessary" in order to mitigate disruption to the state's electric grid.