California produces 160.5 GWh renewable power on day of eclipse

Renewable power generation in California, excluding large hydro, fell from 176,853 MWh on August 20 to 160,475 MWh on August 21, the day on which the US experienced its first total solar eclipse since 1979.

According to data by the California Independent System Operator Corp (ISO), solar photovoltaic (PV) generation dropped to 72,106 MWh from previous day's 85,427 MWh, peaking at 8,857 MW at 1400 PDT. Solar thermal power plants generated an additional 3,139 MWh, down by 33.08%.

Despite the eclipse, solar remained the state's leading source of green electricity on August 21 with a share of nearly 47%.

Wind farms in the US state produced 40,990 MWh, down by 4.30%. A peak of 2,358 MW was recorded at 2100 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).

Geothermal power plants generated 23,003 MWh.

Under the California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) plan investor-owned utilities, electric service providers and community choice aggregators in the state have to reach a 33% renewable energy share in total procurement by 2020.

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