Eclipse to block out 95 per cent of sunlight in parts of Europe
According to the report appearing in the UK TELEGRAPH today, this nearly 100% eclipse on March 20 may actually cause problems..
The eclipse is going to be the biggest one since 1999.
Victoria Ward writes this,
Power supplies could drop suddenly next month when the UK is plunged into darkness with an eclipse of the sun. Energy experts warned there could be possible blackouts in the biggest solar eclipse since 1999. Nearly 90 per cent of the sun's rays will be blocked out in parts of Europe on March 20. In London and the South East, 85 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon whilst in northern Scotland, more than 95 per cent will be covered. The National Grid has warned that solar power output in Britain will halve during the event.
My first inclination on this was that the story appearing is just an example of fear porn and attempt to get readers and clicks. But it could also be a relevant message about the future. If we rely heavily on solar energy, there very well will be moments where, perhaps, our power source goes black. Or maybe times when that same power source throws a hissy fit and solar storms knock down a grid..
Ward says,
He told the Financial Times: "In a way March 20 is a glimpse into the future of our power systems." The eclipse will last around two hours from 8.40am. The next one will not be until 2026.
So .. Eclipsepocalypse 2015 begins in earnest.. Be afraid.