On Wednesday 12th August 2026, people across the UK will have the chance to witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events in years: a major partial solar eclipse.
The Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking a significant proportion of the Sun’s light. While this will be an exciting event for households, businesses and astronomy enthusiasts, it also has an important implication for one of the UK’s fastest-growing sources of renewable energy: solar power.
For businesses that rely on solar panels to generate electricity, the eclipse will cause a temporary reduction in solar generation. In some parts of the UK, more than 90% of the Sun is expected to be obscured at the height of the eclipse.
So, what does this mean for your solar panels, your electricity supply and your business?
What Happens to Solar Panels During a Solar Eclipse?
Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into electrical energy. In simple terms, the more solar radiation that reaches a PV panel, the more electricity it can produce.
During a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks some of the Sun’s light before it reaches Earth. As a result, solar panels receive less sunlight and their electricity generation temporarily decreases. This is completely normal and does not mean that anything is wrong with your solar installation.
The reduction in generation will depend on several factors, including your location, the extent of the eclipse, weather conditions, the position and orientation of your panels and the time of day.
The eclipse happening today is particularly significant for the UK because it will occur relatively late in the day. According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, from London the eclipse begins at around 6:17pm, reaches maximum coverage at approximately 7:12pm and ends at around 8:06pm. Timings vary slightly depending on your location.
Because the eclipse occurs towards the end of the day, the overall reduction in daily solar generation may be smaller than the dramatic percentage of sunlight covered during the peak of the eclipse might suggest.
However, the sudden drop in solar generation can still be significant for the electricity system.
How Much Will Solar Power Drop During the UK Eclipse?
The amount of solar electricity generated across the UK is expected to fall as the Moon moves across the Sun.
The impact is particularly relevant because solar generation has become an increasingly important part of Britain’s electricity mix. During a normal summer evening, solar generation is already naturally declining as the Sun approaches the horizon. The eclipse will accelerate this decline.
Recent estimates suggest the eclipse could temporarily reduce British solar generation by up to around 1,100 megawatts (MW), although the exact impact will depend on weather conditions and actual solar output on the day.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has been preparing for the event and has taken steps to ensure there is sufficient generation available to balance the reduction in solar power.
This is important because the eclipse demonstrates one of the challenges associated with renewable energy: solar generation changes depending on how much sunlight is available.
However, an eclipse is also a highly predictable event. Unlike unexpected changes in demand or generation, grid operators have advance notice and can plan accordingly.
Will My Solar Panels Stop Working During the Eclipse?
If you have solar panels installed they won’t be damaged by the eclipse, nor will the eclipse permanently affect their performance. Your panels will simply produce less electricity while less sunlight reaches them. As the Moon moves away from the Sun and normal sunlight returns, solar generation will increase again.
This means most businesses with grid-connected solar systems should not experience an interruption to their electricity supply simply because of the eclipse.
Should Businesses Change How They Use Electricity?
The eclipse doesn’t mean businesses need to shut down equipment or turn off their electrical systems. However, businesses could consider avoiding unnecessary electricity consumption during the period of peak eclipse.
Current guidance surrounding the 2026 eclipse has encouraged households to reduce discretionary electricity consumption during the evening period, particularly between around 6pm and 8pm, when solar generation will be falling.
For businesses, this could mean considering whether certain energy-intensive activities can be moved earlier or later in the day.
For example, businesses could:
- Charge electric vehicles earlier in the day.
- Run energy-intensive machinery outside the eclipse period where practical.
- Schedule laundry loads or commercial washing equipment for another time.
- Delay non-essential heating or cooling.
- Switch off unnecessary lighting and equipment.
- Ensure essential equipment remains operational.
- Check backup power arrangements for critical systems.
There’s no need to switch off computers, refrigeration, security systems or other essential equipment simply because an eclipse is taking place.
What Should You Do During the Solar Eclipse?
While the eclipse can have an interesting effect on solar generation, the most important consideration for individuals watching the event is eye safety.
Looking directly at the Sun without appropriate protection can cause permanent damage to your eyesight.
Do:
- Use specialist solar eclipse glasses or an appropriate solar viewer.
- Make sure your eclipse glasses are designed for direct solar viewing.
- Check that viewing equipment is undamaged before using it.
- Supervise children while they are watching the eclipse.
- Consider indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole projector.
- Follow guidance from reputable astronomical and health organisations.
- Plan ahead if your business has particularly high electricity demand.
Don’t:
- Don’t look directly at the Sun with your naked eyes.
- Don’t assume ordinary sunglasses provide sufficient protection.
- Don’t use homemade filters to look directly at the Sun.
- Don’t look through binoculars or telescopes without a suitable solar filter.
- Don’t point an unfiltered camera or optical device directly at the Sun.
- Don’t assume your solar panels will produce their usual output during the eclipse.
The fact that the UK is experiencing a partial rather than total eclipse does not make it safe to look directly at the Sun. Specialist protection is required throughout the visible partial eclipse.
About Sunpower Services
For businesses considering commercial solar, the upfront cost of installation can sometimes be a significant barrier. This is where Sunpower Services can help.
Sunpower Services is a UK-based company offering commercial solar solutions designed to help businesses benefit from solar power without necessarily having to make a large upfront investment.
Through our Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model, eligible businesses can have solar panels installed without paying the upfront capital cost themselves. Sunpower Services funds the installation and manages the solar system, allowing the business to purchase the electricity generated by the panels.
This approach can make commercial solar more accessible to organisations that want to reduce their electricity costs and carbon footprint while preserving capital for other areas of the business.
Find out more about how we can offer solar power for businesses.
All information correct at the time of publishing on 12th August 2026.