Solar storm heads towards Earth

An impressive solar flare is heading towards Earth and could disrupt power grids, GPS and plane flights.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Centre said the sun erupted on Tuesday evening and the effects should start hitting Earth close to 4pm AEDT on Thursday.

They said it was the biggest eruption in five years and growing.

The magnetic storm has the potential to trip electrical power grids.

Its radio emissions can disrupt global positioning systems to make them less accurate. It also could damage satellites.

Scientists said communication problems and radiation from the storm would probably force planes to avoid flying over the north and south poles. Colourful auroras may be more visible.

How is this going to affect solar panels in Australia?

by www.brisbanetimes.com.au

The Author

I took an interest in the Australian energy sector close to ten years ago and since then have monitored the trends, technologies and direction of the Australian Energy Market. I was drawn to the Australian solar market in 2008 and since then have worked heavily in the field. I am partnered with national and international solar energy companies, from manufacturers of solar panel and inverter technology, online software developers that introduce tools to quote, monitor and manage solar power systems and media organisations who like myself, closely monitor the solar and renewable energy sector.