California Wildfire Smoke Causes Drop in Solar Energy Production

By Mary Anne R. Oct 01 2020, 03:36 AM EDT

California wildfire smoke hindered the state's solar energy production, with a drop of nearly a third this month.

Miniscule airborne particles are reducing the amount of sunlight reaching panels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The average solar generation in California Independent System Operator declined nearly 30 percent in the first two weeks of September from the July average.

The California Independent System Operator covers 90 percent of utility-scale solar capacity in the state.

Solar generation fell 13.4 percent in the first two weeks of September compared with the same period last year. That is despite California having an additional 659 megawatts of utility solar, which is an increase of more than five percent.

California has more solar capacity compared to any other states in the U.S. In 2018, solar provided 19 percent of the state's power generation, according to EIA.

Since January, wildfires in California have scorched more than 3.8 million acres, which is equivalent to 1.5 million hectares, making if far exceeding any single year in state history.

California fire crews have been fighting one fire to another as the state battles with a record-shattering wildfire season.

The Glass Fire in Napa and Sonoma counties and the Zogg Fire in Shasta County are ravaging in the northern part of the state since Sunday. It brings more distress to a fire season that brought five of the six largest wildfires in California's history.

Reports said hot weather would complicate firefighting efforts. The fire danger is raised in many areas throughout the state. No rain is also seen for much of the West Coast this week.

Around 30 million people in California are placed under heat advisories, with temperatures up to 100 degrees in many areas, including Los Angeles.

Red flag warnings have been released in the North Bay area since Wednesday night. It is because of low humidity and breezy conditions seen overnight, according to the NWS Bay Area.

"It's been a long season. Most of (the firefighters) been going since the middle of July, without rest from fire to fire to fire here in the northern part of the state," Cal Fire Incident Commander Billy See said in a report.

Residents are feeling the effects of evacuating many times as fires continue to spread to the new and previous territory. Over 2,000 fire personnel are battling the Glass Fire.

The Glass Fire has already consumed 48,440 acres and destroyed at least 82 buildings. It continues to threaten more than 22,500 structures and is only two percent contained.

Meanwhile, the Zogg Fire is nine percent contained and has torn throughout 55,064 acres. The fire already killed four people, destroyed 146 structures and is threatening 1,538 more.

Officials announced the fourth person killed in the blaze on Wednesday. In a press release, the Cal Fire said a civilian, who was badly burned in the Zogg Fire, was transported to a hospital and has succumbed to injuries.

Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini said it is unfortunate and offered his condolences.