Solar eclipses occur all the time, all over the globe. In the traditional generation mix with fossil fuels, they were not a big deal for power system operators. This changed with the increasing share of solar generation. An eclipse is like an ‘off’ button for solar, taking huge amounts out of the system, within seconds. For power systems that need to have every second in perfect balance, as power moves at the speed of light, very high variations in solar generation that take place during an eclipse are indeed a challenge. The 20 March 2015 solar eclipse was thus the first of its kind event; a true stress test, and was passed successfully.
When the next solar eclipses occur in Europe, in 2021 and 2026, the share of Photovoltaics will be even bigger. Both partners of the event subscribe fully to the development of Renewables in Europe in line with the 2020 and 2030 objectives. SolarPower Europe and ENTSO-E see five ingredients for a successful management of the next eclipses: the speedy adoption and implementation of all Network Codes, Regional Security Coordination Initiatives, an active and empowered customer participating in all markets, PV itself offering services to the grid, and finally a reconsidered TSO-DSO interface.
ENTSO-Es Coordinated System Operation Group should be thanked in particular for the meticulous and responsible preparation and handling of the Solar Eclipse on March 20th 2015, and the first part of the report presenting the conclusions of the event, and the lessons learnt.
On July 15th the 30 page executive Report will be handed over to Paula Abreu Marques, Head of Renewables at DG ENER, in Brussels.