Gavin Maguire of Reuters reports that The U.S. southwest is the top national solar power generation area due to its mainly sunny and dry climate, but is also the most active area for wildfires for similar regions. Maguire writes:
Wildfires spewing smoke across much of the southwest United States are denting solar power output in the country’s largest solar producer just as power demand peaks due to heavy use of air conditioners during summer.
Through the first half of 2024, solar power generation in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) network was 28% above the same period in 2023 following extensive solar capacity expansions in the state within the past year.
But CAISO’s solar power output dipped below year-earlier levels this month as thick smoke from spreading wildfires darkened the skies and dimmed solar generation in mid-July. […]
To make up for any power supply shortfalls from solar farms, power producers may be forced to increase generation from coal and natural gas-fired plants which may exacerbate air quality readings. […]
Roughly half of all U.S. utility-scale solar generation capacity is located within states included in the U.S. southwest region, according to energy data portal Cleanview, and so potentially stands to be impacted by wildfire break outs. […]
To make up for the solar setback, CAISO power firms increased natural gas-fired generation by around 10% during July 12-15 from the July 1-10 average, but then lowered gas output again once solar output rebounded.
Any further disruptions to CAISO solar production will likely also be offset by higher gas-fired power output, which may result in even greater air pollution in the surrounding area.
Read more here.
