Environment

Eclipse switching off solar panels to test Europe's power grids

The eclipse will test the ability of utilities to keep the lights on as grid operators switch to other sources to make ...

The eclipse due to bring most of Europe into deep shadows on Friday morning will put an unprecedented strain on the region's electricity grid, turning off thousands of solar panels essential to power supply and rocking electricity markets. The moon will cross in front of the sun, blocking about 80 per cent of its light across Europe from 8 am to 11 am London time. In Germany, the eclipse will briefly turn off thousands of panels, which provide about 40 per cent of the nation's power on the most sunny days.

Solar power holds its own as clouds gather

Solar panel capacity held up in 2014 despite headwinds.

Australia’s small-scale solar energy industry held steady in 2014 although uncertainty about the Abbott government’s support for renewable energy and rising costs for imported panels as the dollar wilts are casting a cloud over the sector.