From the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
From the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
From the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near 40C
on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels of demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the air conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:I think people just design for reduced efficiency.
From the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near 40C
on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels of
demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the air
conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less >> efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
<snip>
I assume we deploy different solar panels to hotter climes?
Much as we use different road surfacing mixes which start to melt around
30C.
I didn't realise that solar panels had an optimum temperature range.
On 24/06/2026 13:54, David wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:I think people just design for reduced efficiency.
-aFrom the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near 40C >>> on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels of >>> demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the air
conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less >>> efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
<snip>
I assume we deploy different solar panels to hotter climes?
Much as we use different road surfacing mixes which start to melt around
30C.
I didn't realise that solar panels had an optimum temperature range.Well they dont work when molten, for sure.
All semiconductor devices have temperature affected parameters.
"Solar panels are tested under Standard Test Conditions (STC) at 25-#C (77-#F). When the sun is beating down on a panel, its internal
temperature can easily reach 65-#C to 75-#C (150-#F to 165-#F).
"As semiconductors get hotter, the increased internal heat causes
electrons to move more chaotically, increasing resistance and
significantly reducing the voltage produced.
-a" The "Sweet Spot": Panels hit their peak efficiency during cold,
crisp, sunny days (e.g., around 5-#C to 15-#C).
Ive finally decided to shut the Aga down for summer.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms
less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
-aAnd how does the actual power output change as the temperture increases ?
On 24/06/2026 14:33, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less >>> efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
-a-aAnd how does the actual power output change as the temperture increases ?
I found some data online that shows up to 15% lost at say 60-#C which is not unusual in this sort of sun.
Its very googleable - Googles AI comes up with decent facts pretty quickly
On 24/06/2026 14:37, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 24/06/2026 14:33, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms >>>> less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar
panel efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree
that a panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
-a-aAnd how does the actual power output change as the temperture
increases ?
I found some data online that shows up to 15% lost at say 60-#C which
is not unusual in this sort of sun.
-a15% of what is lost? How does 'this sort of sun' compare with standard?
Its very googleable - Googles AI comes up with decent facts pretty
quickly
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
From the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
On 24/06/2026 13:54, David wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:I think people just design for reduced efficiency.
From the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near 40C >>> on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels of >>> demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the air
conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less >>> efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
<snip>
I assume we deploy different solar panels to hotter climes?
Much as we use different road surfacing mixes which start to melt around
30C.
I didn't realise that solar panels had an optimum temperature range.Well they dont work when molten, for sure.
All semiconductor devices have temperature affected parameters.
"Solar panels are tested under Standard Test Conditions (STC) at 25-#C >(77-#F). When the sun is beating down on a panel, its internal
temperature can easily reach 65-#C to 75-#C (150-#F to 165-#F).
"As semiconductors get hotter, the increased internal heat causes
electrons to move more chaotically, increasing resistance and
significantly reducing the voltage produced.
" The "Sweet Spot": Panels hit their peak efficiency during cold,
crisp, sunny days (e.g., around 5-#C to 15-#C).
Ive finally decided to shut the Aga down for summer.
On 24/06/2026 14:54, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 14:37, The Natural Philosopher wrote:Oh FFS read it for yourself. 15% of the normally available current (at >25-#C) isn't available at the same voltage so 15% of the normally
On 24/06/2026 14:33, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms >>>>> less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar
panel efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree >>>>> that a panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
-a-aAnd how does the actual power output change as the temperture
increases ?
I found some data online that shows up to 15% lost at say 60-#C which
is not unusual in this sort of sun.
-a15% of what is lost? How does 'this sort of sun' compare with standard? >>
available power is gone.
This sort of sun is where ambient is over 30-#C and open sun temperatures
of materials designed to absorb light may well peak at 85-#C or more.
But you'ld rather put your fingers in your ears and say 'you're makingIts very googleable - Googles AI comes up with decent facts pretty
quickly
it up'
On 24/06/2026 13:22, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural PhilosopherOf course it is. And that's the danger. Unlike gas or nuclear, it has no >ability to respond to overload without tripping out.
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
From the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:45:15 +0100, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 24/06/2026 13:22, AnthonyL wrote:Indeed, though the article seemed to suggest that solar output was very
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural PhilosopherOf course it is. And that's the danger. Unlike gas or nuclear, it has no >>ability to respond to overload without tripping out.
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
From the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
low, 10% which it may have been at the time. 34% is quite a respectable figure, just needs to keep that up for 7/24/365.
On 24/06/2026 14:54, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 14:37, The Natural Philosopher wrote:Oh FFS read it for yourself. 15% of the normally available current (at 25-#C)-a isn't available at the same voltage so 15% of the normally available
On 24/06/2026 14:33, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms >>>>> less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel >>>>> efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a >>>>> panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
-a-aAnd how does the actual power output change as the temperture
increases ?
I found some data online that shows up to 15% lost at say 60-#C which is >>> not unusual in this sort of sun.
-a-a15% of what is lost? How does 'this sort of sun' compare with standard? >>
power is gone.
This sort of sun is where ambient is over 30-#C and open sun temperatures of materials designed to absorb light may well peak at 85-#C or more.
But you'ld rather put your fingers in your ears and say 'you're making it up'Its very googleable - Googles AI comes up with decent facts pretty quickly >>
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:22:39 +0000, AnthonyL wrote:No. Wind is what is metered but it comprises the bast majority of windpower. Solar is a guess, from Sheffield University who I think use a sampling technique to create it.
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
From the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
AIUI the %age for solar and wind is just the metered ? There is addition generation which goes to reducing the overall demand before metering ?
I'm thankful that the annual boiler service is being carried out
tomorrow. It's really struggling in these conditions, so much so that
it hasn't kicked in all week :)
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:48:30 +0100, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 24/06/2026 14:54, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 14:37, The Natural Philosopher wrote:Oh FFS read it for yourself. 15% of the normally available current (at
On 24/06/2026 14:33, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms >>>>>> less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar
panel efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree >>>>>> that a panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
-a-aAnd how does the actual power output change as the temperture
increases ?
I found some data online that shows up to 15% lost at say 60-#C which
is not unusual in this sort of sun.
-a15% of what is lost? How does 'this sort of sun' compare with standard? >>>
25-#C) isn't available at the same voltage so 15% of the normally
available power is gone.
This sort of sun is where ambient is over 30-#C and open sun temperatures
of materials designed to absorb light may well peak at 85-#C or more.
But you'ld rather put your fingers in your ears and say 'you're makingIts very googleable - Googles AI comes up with decent facts pretty
quickly
it up'
When I relayed the main part of this thread to a green friend the sole reaction was:
"My brain immediately converts the "too much sun" part to "if we had
solar and wind energy, the planet wouldn't be frying in the first
place".
I'm thankful that the annual boiler service is being carried out
tomorrow. It's really struggling in these conditions, so much so that
it hasn't kicked in all week :)
On Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:38:57 GMT, nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:45:15 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 24/06/2026 13:22, AnthonyL wrote:Indeed, though the article seemed to suggest that solar output was very
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural PhilosopherOf course it is. And that's the danger. Unlike gas or nuclear, it has no >>> ability to respond to overload without tripping out.
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
From the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
low, 10% which it may have been at the time. 34% is quite a respectable
figure, just needs to keep that up for 7/24/365.
Umm,
I think 24/7/52 is the correct metric :-)
(Hrs/day - days/week - weeks/yr) ???
The cognitive dissonance is huge. The plany isn't frying.
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
From the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near 40C
on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels of
demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the air
conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less >> efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
<snip>
I assume we deploy different solar panels to hotter climes?
Much as we use different road surfacing mixes which start to melt around
30C.
I didn't realise that solar panels had an optimum temperature range.
Every day a school day.
Cheers
On 25/06/2026 16:46, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
The cognitive dissonance is huge. The plany isn't frying.
"The plany isn't frying...??"
You are Professor Stanley Unwin and I claim my five pounds! ;-)
On 25/06/2026 18:16, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 25/06/2026 16:46, The Natural Philosopher wrote:Cataract operations are due...
The cognitive dissonance is huge. The plany isn't frying.
"The plany isn't frying...??"
You are Professor Stanley Unwin and I claim my five pounds! ;-)
From the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near 40C
on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels of demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the air conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
Noemie Baud, from energy consultancy Montel, said: rCLHigher demand for
air conditioning and cooling systems is contributing to the increase [in power demand], while lower outputs from solar and gas generation means
more conventional generation is required to meet demand, pushing up prices.rCY
Data from the UKrCOs grid network showed gas generation jumped from around eight gigawatts at 12pm on Tuesday, to more than 17 gigawatts overnight.
More than half of BritainrCOs power needs were being supplied by gas on Wednesday morning, with wind generating around 12pc and solar less than 10pc.
rCLOur forecasts are showing tight margins on the electricity system for tomorrow evening,rCY Neso said on Tuesday night. rCLThis is due to the impact of extremely high temperatures affecting Great Britain and the Continent and low wind.rCY
Energy shortfall
Britain was facing a 1.9 gigawatt shortfall in its rCLmarginrCY for Wednesday night rCo the buffer between available power generation and
total consumer demand rCo according to an alert at 9pm on Tuesday from Elexon, the company that manages the electricity trades that keep BritainrCOs lights on.
The alert signals to BritainrCOs gas power plants and other suppliers to start generating more energy to meet the expected demand and is not a
sign that blackouts are imminent.
A spokesman for Neso said: rCLWe are asking market participants to make
any additional generation capacity they may have available.
rCLThe Electricity Margin Notice does not mean electricity supply is at risk.rCY
Such warnings are usually issued during winter when demand for energy is
at its highest. However, households and businesses are expected to ramp
up power usage for air conditioning and other means of keeping cool,
after the Met Office issued a red weather warning.
BritainrCOs energy shortage has been compounded by relatively low wind generation across the country and continental Europe.
Meanwhile, imports of French energy have fallen by 48pc since Sunday.
France has been forced to switch off a nuclear power station as high
river temperatures mean the water is too warm to safely cool reactors.
In a worrying sign for consumers, energy market intelligence firm Montel said the decline in renewable efficiency had pushed up wholesale power prices.
Prices climbed to -u248.39 per megawatt hour at the evening peak on
Tuesday, an increase of more than 75pc compared with the same time a
week earlier."
On 24/06/2026 12:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
-aFrom the DT.,..
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare summer power
supply warning overnight as the country braces for temperatures near
40C on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gas plants have been urged to ramp up output to deal with high levels
of demand expected on Wednesday night as homes and offices turn up the
air conditioning to endure the heatwave.
The notice comes as soaring temperatures make BritainrCOs solar farms
less efficient, putting further strain on the power grid. Solar panel
efficiency typically drops by 0.3pc to 0.5pc for every degree that a
panelrCOs temperature rises above 25C.
Noemie Baud, from energy consultancy Montel, said: rCLHigher demand for
air conditioning and cooling systems is contributing to the increase
[in power demand], while lower outputs from solar and gas generation
means more conventional generation is required to meet demand, pushing
up prices.rCY
Data from the UKrCOs grid network showed gas generation jumped from
around eight gigawatts at 12pm on Tuesday, to more than 17 gigawatts
overnight.
More than half of BritainrCOs power needs were being supplied by gas on
Wednesday morning, with wind generating around 12pc and solar less
than 10pc.
rCLOur forecasts are showing tight margins on the electricity system for
tomorrow evening,rCY Neso said on Tuesday night. rCLThis is due to the
impact of extremely high temperatures affecting Great Britain and the
Continent and low wind.rCY
Energy shortfall
Britain was facing a 1.9 gigawatt shortfall in its rCLmarginrCY for
Wednesday night rCo the buffer between available power generation and
total consumer demand rCo according to an alert at 9pm on Tuesday from
Elexon, the company that manages the electricity trades that keep
BritainrCOs lights on.
The alert signals to BritainrCOs gas power plants and other suppliers to
start generating more energy to meet the expected demand and is not a
sign that blackouts are imminent.
A spokesman for Neso said: rCLWe are asking market participants to make
any additional generation capacity they may have available.
rCLThe Electricity Margin Notice does not mean electricity supply is at
risk.rCY
Such warnings are usually issued during winter when demand for energy
is at its highest. However, households and businesses are expected to
ramp up power usage for air conditioning and other means of keeping
cool, after the Met Office issued a red weather warning.
BritainrCOs energy shortage has been compounded by relatively low wind
generation across the country and continental Europe.
Meanwhile, imports of French energy have fallen by 48pc since Sunday.
France has been forced to switch off a nuclear power station as high
river temperatures mean the water is too warm to safely cool reactors.
In a worrying sign for consumers, energy market intelligence firm
Montel said the decline in renewable efficiency had pushed up
wholesale power prices.
Prices climbed to -u248.39 per megawatt hour at the evening peak on
Tuesday, an increase of more than 75pc compared with the same time a
week earlier."
You obviously missed the one where they had to recharge electic buses
using a diesel generator.
On 24/06/2026 13:22, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:26:06 +0100, The Natural PhilosopherOf course it is. And that's the danger. Unlike gas or nuclear, it has no ability to respond to overload without tripping out.
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
-aFrom the DT.,..<snipped>
"Gas-powered plants across the UK have been ordered to fire up
production as soaring temperatures trigger a slump in solar energy.
Regardless your site is showing the solar (however that is measured)
is the highest producer of power at the time of writing (34%)
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