Smoke Sends US Northeast Solar Power Plunging by 50% as Wildfires Rage in Canada
- Solar generation drops across New England and Mid-Atlantic
- Drought conditions have sparked blazes in eastern Canada
Buildings in the Manhattan skyline shrouded in smoke from Canada wildfires at sunrise on Wednesday.
Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A shroud of smoke has sent solar power generation in parts of the eastern US plummeting by more than 50% as wildfires rage in Canada.
Solar farms powering New England were producing 56% less energy at times of peak demand compared with the week before, according to the region’s grid operator. Electricity generated by solar across the territory serviced by PJM Interconnection LLC, which spans Illinois to North Carolina, was down about 25% from the previous week.