LAS VEGAS (CLASS) - With all these solar panels and no coal-fired power plants, will Nevada be on the brink of disaster when the solar eclipse arrives Saturday morning?
No.
This is NV Energy's short answer as they work to ensure there are no problems when solar shuts down while the moon is in front of the sun. The ring of fire, also known as an annular eclipse, won't even be visible if you're sitting at home with the blinds closed and the lights on.
Vernon Taylor, Director of Business Operations for NV Energy's Resource Optimization Division, told 8 News Now on Wednesday that the company is ready.
"At the moment we do not see any problems or serious consequences for the system. We do not see any interruption of power supply to the consumers' homes. "We think we are very well prepared for the eclipse and we don't see any problems."
It's been a little over six years since the last major eclipse in Nevada, the total eclipse of August 21, 2017. During that time, many homeowners installed solar panels on their roofs. How will this eclipse affect them?
"For homeowners who have rooftop solar, their energy needs will still be met," Taylor said. “There will be no power outages because they are still our customers and we are still responsible for supplying that extra power. "I mean, it's like at night when your solar panels aren't being fed by the sun, the power isn't going off."
And while the impact on solar power production will be similar to what happens when clouds block the sun, Taylor said the eclipse will cause "significant reductions in solar power production." And this will affect the entire region.
Southern Nevada will be 80-85% eclipsed, and northwestern Nevada to east-central Nevada will be 100% eclipsed. NV Energy reports that Battle Mountain along Interstate 80 in northern Nevada will experience maximum darkness after the eclipse.
Taylor said that means more collaboration across the state, as NV Energy discussed energy needs and resources at the event.
The company has location-specific solar forecasts and uses models to predict load and available resources.
NV Energy also has a page on its website dedicated to eclipse questions.
"We will use conventional strategies to offset losses in solar power generation, including discharging the batteries, using more Hoover sources, and activating gas channels as needed," the website states.
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