Natural gas aided electric grid operators in California and Texas in maintaining stable operations as solar generation dropped during Saturday’s annular eclipse.

For the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), total renewable energy – which includes solar and wind – had climbed to 9,919 MW by 8:40 a.m. PT but then plunged to 5,002 MW by 9:30 a.m. at the height of the eclipse. Natural gas, meanwhile, was generating 11,423 MW at 8:40 a.m. and then surged to 13,388 MW by 9:30 a.m.

By the time the eclipse had ended just after 11 a.m., total renewables had climbed back above 12,000 MW, while natural gas had fallen to around 9,260 MW.

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