Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse crossed through Arkansas, temporarily reducing solar energy production across the state. Many solar system owners wondered what this would mean for their installations, so we wanted to provide some clarity.

During a total solar eclipse, solar panel output drops significantly as the moon blocks direct sunlight. For a total eclipse lasting a few minutes, panels may produce near-zero output. However, production ramps back up quickly as the eclipse passes. The total impact on daily energy production is small, typically less than what a cloudy day would cause.

Modern solar inverters are designed to handle rapid changes in irradiance, so there's no risk of damage to your system. Grid-tied systems simply draw from the utility during the brief reduction in output. For the vast majority of commercial solar installations, the eclipse was a fascinating astronomical event with negligible impact on annual energy production.

If you have questions about how weather and shading events affect your solar system's performance, our team is always here to help.