Solar Eclipse Event POSOCO

New Delhi: The unveiling of astronomical events such as solar eclipse has an impact on power systems having high penetration of solar generation. India experienced one such annular solar eclipse on 21st June 2020, which impacted the solar generation across the country.

The solar generation started reducing with drop in irradiance after onset of solar eclipse at 09:56 AM. The Indian power system witnessed a maximum solar generation reduction to the tune of 11 GW at 11:50 AM during maximum solar eclipse. The generation from solar plants revived by 13:35 hrs i.e after end of the solar eclipse. The event was successfully handled by the system operators across the country. During the eclipse fast ramping resources such as hydro & gas based generation were regulated to cope up variation in solar generation.

All India Hydro generation was increased to a maximum value of 28.5 GW at 11:49hrs from 21.6 GW at 10:11hrs. Again, it has been reduced gradually to 22.36 GW by 1300hrs. Further, All India gas based generation was regulated upto 1.5 GW during the eclipse. The power demand also increased to the tune of 7GW on All India basis after the eclipse which portrays the psychological behaviour of Indian people during and after the eclipse viz; slowing down human activity in terms of cooking, agriculture and other day to day activities during the eclipse and as soon as the eclipse gets over, people restart lot of activities such as taking baths, opening of temples, agriculture activities etc. leading to spurt in demand.

The national grid operator, POSOCO successfully handled the event taking advance measures and making sure that all concerned stakeholders were ready for the challenge.  It is pertinent to mention that POSOCO had prepared for the event a month in advance and a report namely “Solar Eclipse 21st June 2020-Indian Power System likely impacts and preparedness” was also published by POSOCO on its website.