Eclipse Will Impact Gulf Power Solar Generation, But No Service Disruptions

August 20, 2017

Gulf Power says customers can enjoy viewing a partial eclipse without worrying about any disruption in service caused by the eclipse.

“Even though our solar arrays are online, there will be no impact in service to customers from the solar eclipse because of our balanced energy mix that includes renewables like wind and solar, but also 24/7 energy sources like natural gas and low-cost, cleaner-than-ever coal,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson.

There will be minimum impact, according to DelaHaya, from the loss of solar generation at the new Gulf Coast Solar Center thanks to the adequate reserves of other generation fuels on hand to handle the temporary darkness.

“Gulf Power customers will not experience any energy problems because of the eclipse,” added DelaHaya “We will have plenty of 24/7 clean, low-cost reliable energy on hand to handle the demands of our customers.”

The Gulf Coast Solar Center is part of Gulf Power’s robust energy mix, and spans 940 acres across three Navy and Air Force sites in Northwest Florida, generating 120 megawatts of electricity from 1.5 million photovoltaic solar panels, enough energy to power nearly 18,000 homes each year across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

“With the energy needs of our customers covered, we encourage everyone to take advantage of this rare opportunity to witness the first solar eclipse to travel coast-to-coast in almost 100 years,” added DelaHaya. “This is a rare event that won’t happen again until 2045.”

In the Gulf Power service footprint, the partial eclipse begins around noon and reaches maximum coverage of 82 percent between 1:37 p.m. in Pensacola and 1:39 p.m. in Panama City. It ends at 3:03 p.m. in Pensacola and 3:05 p.m. in Panama City.

Pictured Gulf Power employees James Craven and Rick DeleHaya are ready for Monday’s solar eclipse with their ISO 12312-2 standard viewing glasses. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Eclipse Will Impact Gulf Power Solar Generation, But No Service Disruptions”

  1. Bob C. on August 20th, 2017 9:17 pm

    @ Safebear — “What do power companies do at night?”

    They Sing and Dance because they know we’ll be using MORE of their product to light our homes and businesses and streets.

  2. Charlie Mike on August 20th, 2017 7:55 pm

    So much stupidity around this event. Does your dog normally stare at the sun?

  3. Safebear on August 20th, 2017 2:47 pm

    There seems to be some panic that the sun will go away for a while during the day and people will loose power. What do power companies do at night?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News