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SDG&E Loses More Than 500 Megawatts During Solar Eclipse

A sign on SDG&E's headquarters appears in this undated photo.
Nicholas McVicker
A sign on SDG&E's headquarters appears in this undated photo.

San Diego Gas & Electric lost more than 500 megawatts of solar energy production during today's eclipse, but utility officials said they had enough power to meet demand.

The loss from output of 850 MW to 334 MW was the equivalent of 14 percent of the electricity customers consume on a typical warm summer day.

"We were fully prepared and secured enough resources from other facilities to make up for the lost solar generation in order to continue to deliver clean, safe and reliable energy to our customers," SDG&E spokeswoman Allison Torres said.

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SDG&E said solar energy generation typically fluctuates throughout the day and is also affected by weather. Officials expect to make up the difference via natural gas facilities and energy storage.

SDG&E and the California Independent System Operator, which manages the energy grid in the state, monitored the situation during the eclipse to ensure the stable and reliable flow of power.