The April 8 Solar Eclipse Could Impact Power. Here’s Why. 

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 will darken the sky for millions as the moon passes in front of the sun – but the spectacle could also affect how much solar power gets generated.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known as ERCOT, which provides solar service to 90% of the state, says the event will affect solar production in Texas between 12:10 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. CDT while the eclipse passes over the state from the southwest to the northeast.

“ERCOT is working on forecasting models to reflect solar generation on the grid during the eclipse,” a representative for ERCOT told CBS News via email. “ERCOT does not expect any grid reliability concerns during the eclipse. ERCOT will use all available tools to maintain grid reliability and will continue to monitor conditions and keep the public informed through our communications channels.”

Solar power accounts for about 3.9% of the energy generated in the U.S. in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Texas, solar energy accounted for 6% of the energy generation in 2022, according to ERCOT.

Due to its generally sunny weather, Texas is the second-largest solar producer in the U.S., after California.

During the 2017 eclipse, California prepared for solar power outages, with state agencies urging people to cut back on power use during the event.

ERCOT, however, hasn’t asked people to reduce power use during the eclipse, the representative said.

Utilities and grid operators across the U.S. prepared for the possibility of a drop in solar power during the 2017 eclipse as well. Standby power sources were lined up and simulations of the potential impact were run, according to Reuters.

But analysis from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found the 2017 eclipse didn’t cause any issues to the operation of the North American electric power system.

The April 8 solar eclipse will start on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will then travel across parts of the U.S. and into Canada and will leave continental North America at 5:19 p.m. EDT.