Europe runs short of eclipse glasses as solar power set to dip
Shops and opticians across Europe are struggling to keep certified eclipse glasses on their shelves, with queues forming in Paris, London and Brussels in the days before Wednesday’s total solar eclipse, according to Africanews. The unusual demand has left many retailers sold out and prompted customers to travel between stores in search of the protective eyewear.
Safety specialists stress that ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass and improvised filters are not safe substitutes for looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse. Genuine eclipse glasses carry a recognised safety certification and are designed to filter out the ultraviolet and infrared radiation that can cause permanent retinal damage within seconds.
Concerns for Europe’s solar grid
Beyond public fascination, the eclipse is also drawing attention from energy operators. According to Africanews, solar power output across the continent is expected to dip noticeably during the brief period of totality, as photovoltaic installations across Europe are temporarily deprived of direct sunlight. Europe has rapidly expanded its solar capacity in recent years, meaning that even a short interruption to generation now registers on the wider electricity grid.
The phenomenon is not without precedent. During a major partial solar eclipse over Europe in March 2015, solar generation dropped sharply for roughly an hour, prompting grid operators to compensate with backup sources. Analysts expect a similar, if more pronounced, effect this time given the larger solar footprint on the continent.
With clear skies forecast across much of western Europe on Wednesday, astronomers and retailers alike are urging the public to obtain certified eyewear rather than improvise, and to treat the eclipse as both a spectacle and a reminder of how dependent the region’s energy mix has become on the sun.
Sources
This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.
- Africanews — Europe scrambles for eclipse glasses as solar power output set to dip
- The Kenyan Wallstreet — Kenya's Growing Reliance On Wind, Solar is Straining its Power Grid
- SolarQuarter — Kenya Power Calls For Moderation In Solar And Wind Integration To Strengthen Grid Stability
- Reuters — Kenya Power says rapid wind and solar uptake is affecting grid
