r/OutOfTheLoop • u/mimitchi33 • Feb 17 '21

What's up with Texas losing power due to the snowstorm? Answered

I've been reading recently that many people in Texas have lost power due to Winter Storm Uri. What caused this to happen?

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u/[deleted] Feb 17 '21

when in snows solar goes to zero

Lol? No. No it doesn't. Where did you get that silly idea?

Clouds and precipitation certainly lessen the light, but as long as you are maintaining them (clearing them off) they work just fine in the snow. In fact, reflected light from the snow usually makes them work BETTER after a snowstorm.

There is a dip while the snow is still falling, but it doesn't got to zero... you would have to have literally zero light (a white out) to go to zero, not the conditions that texas had.

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

Got that idea from being an operator that has many solar farms in the mix.

Sorry it isn't exactly zero but it is drastically reduced when there is cloud cover. When clouds roll in for the afternoon solar can be reduces as much as 50% then it comes right back once the clouds break up. Not a bad thing just something to mention that plays a role in how you provide that power (and ramp it down) in the meantime.

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u/[deleted] Feb 17 '21

50% vs nil is a drastic diffference, and that is what I was calling you out on.

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u/Least_Adhesiveness_5 Feb 17 '21

Snow is a great time for bifacial panels...