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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Solar eclipse poses energy challenge | Solar eclipse poses energy challenge |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Friday's solar eclipse will present a significant challenge for the UK's electricity network and be an unprecedented test for operators of power networks. | Friday's solar eclipse will present a significant challenge for the UK's electricity network and be an unprecedented test for operators of power networks. |
| Power demand is expected to fall and then surge. | Power demand is expected to fall and then surge. |
| As the moon obscures much of the sun, the electricity generated by solar panels is expected to drop by up to 75%. | As the moon obscures much of the sun, the electricity generated by solar panels is expected to drop by up to 75%. |
| But National Grid believes the overall impact will be "manageable". | But National Grid believes the overall impact will be "manageable". |
| Unprecedented test | Unprecedented test |
| Much more electricity is generated from solar panels now than than during the last eclipse in 1999. | Much more electricity is generated from solar panels now than than during the last eclipse in 1999. |
| It is the first time that an eclipse in Europe is expected to have an impact on the operation of electricity grids. | It is the first time that an eclipse in Europe is expected to have an impact on the operation of electricity grids. |
| Germany faces the biggest test, with about 39GW (gigawatts) of installed solar capacity. | Germany faces the biggest test, with about 39GW (gigawatts) of installed solar capacity. |
| The UK has 5GW of solar, the equivalent to the power output from about eight to 10 gas fired power stations. | The UK has 5GW of solar, the equivalent to the power output from about eight to 10 gas fired power stations. |
| But while the amount of electricity generated from solar will fall during eclipse, National Grid is not expecting any major impact. | But while the amount of electricity generated from solar will fall during eclipse, National Grid is not expecting any major impact. |
| "This loss of solar is entirely manageable," said a National Grid spokesperson. "We have a range of tools in place to manage any effects of the eclipse and balance the network." | "This loss of solar is entirely manageable," said a National Grid spokesperson. "We have a range of tools in place to manage any effects of the eclipse and balance the network." |
| Friday's eclipse | Friday's eclipse |
| The eclipse will start at around 08:45 on Friday and is due to last for a couple of hours. | The eclipse will start at around 08:45 on Friday and is due to last for a couple of hours. |
| It should be visible in much of the UK. | It should be visible in much of the UK. |
| But with cloudy weather now expected, National Grid has revised down its forecast for the likely impact to energy supplies. | But with cloudy weather now expected, National Grid has revised down its forecast for the likely impact to energy supplies. |
| At that time of day, about 1,000MW (megawatts) of power would be generated from solar (1,000MW is equal to 1GW). | At that time of day, about 1,000MW (megawatts) of power would be generated from solar (1,000MW is equal to 1GW). |
| That is expected to fall by around 850MW. | That is expected to fall by around 850MW. |
| Normally, that shortfall would need to be made up by bringing other power plants on to the system. | Normally, that shortfall would need to be made up by bringing other power plants on to the system. |
| But based on an analysis of what happened during the previous eclipse in 1999, National Grid expects many people across Britain to stop their normal activities to observe the phenomenon. | But based on an analysis of what happened during the previous eclipse in 1999, National Grid expects many people across Britain to stop their normal activities to observe the phenomenon. |
| That is expected to cause a fall in power demand on the network of about 1,100MW. | That is expected to cause a fall in power demand on the network of about 1,100MW. |
| After the peak of the eclipse at 09:30, power demand is then expected to surge by 950MW as people resume normal activities. | After the peak of the eclipse at 09:30, power demand is then expected to surge by 950MW as people resume normal activities. |
| Europe-wide impact | Europe-wide impact |
| The impact elsewhere in Europe could be more profound. | The impact elsewhere in Europe could be more profound. |
| Europe's total solar power output could drop by as much as 34GW if it's a clear day, according to the organisation that represents network operators. | Europe's total solar power output could drop by as much as 34GW if it's a clear day, according to the organisation that represents network operators. |
| That's the equivalent of the output of around 80 gas-fired power stations gradually fading out of the European system as the eclipse happens, then fading back in again. | That's the equivalent of the output of around 80 gas-fired power stations gradually fading out of the European system as the eclipse happens, then fading back in again. |
| The European Network Transmission System Operators for Electricity has warned that the risk of an incident such as a power cut can't be completely ruled out. | The European Network Transmission System Operators for Electricity has warned that the risk of an incident such as a power cut can't be completely ruled out. |
| Half of the total impact is expected in Germany. Other major users of solar power including Italy (19.7GW) and Spain (6.7GW) are expected to face challenges too. | Half of the total impact is expected in Germany. Other major users of solar power including Italy (19.7GW) and Spain (6.7GW) are expected to face challenges too. |
| It says the main challenge will be balancing the network in real time without causing blackouts or overloads. | It says the main challenge will be balancing the network in real time without causing blackouts or overloads. |
| An extraordinary sight | |
| The UK won't see a solar eclipse on this scale until 2026. | |
| How to watch the eclipse safely | |
| Why don't we see an eclipse every month? | |
| UK solar power | UK solar power |
| Solar power overall provides some 1.5% of the UK's total annual power output. | Solar power overall provides some 1.5% of the UK's total annual power output. |
| But Leonie Greene of the Solar Trade Association believes the eclipse should not be a cause for concern. | But Leonie Greene of the Solar Trade Association believes the eclipse should not be a cause for concern. |
| "At this time of year, in the morning, the impact of the eclipse on solar output will be particularly small," she says. | "At this time of year, in the morning, the impact of the eclipse on solar output will be particularly small," she says. |
| "The impact of the eclipse on solar will be known by grid managers and it will pose no problem to the power supply. | "The impact of the eclipse on solar will be known by grid managers and it will pose no problem to the power supply. |
| "Far more challenging is the surge in power demand after the eclipse as everyone goes indoors for a cup of tea." | "Far more challenging is the surge in power demand after the eclipse as everyone goes indoors for a cup of tea." |
| Power surges | Power surges |