The eastern region of the United States is grappling with significant obstacles in meeting its renewable energy demands ever since the initiation of Canadian wildfires. The prevailing smoke from these fires is obstructing natural sunlight, leading to a substantial decrease in solar panel efficiency. Reports indicate that solar farms powering New England experience a reduction of approximately 56 percent in energy production during peak demand periods due to the wildfires.

PJM Interconnection LLC, a regional grid operator responsible for a vast territory stretching from Illinois to North Carolina, has observed a decline of around 25 percent in its solar generation capacity since the wildfires began.

Although wildfires of this magnitude are more commonly associated with the western United States, the eastern fires are providing a glimpse of the challenges that arise when weather events interfere with renewable energy sources. While the media tends to attribute these issues to "climate change," it is essential to acknowledge that wildfires are a natural occurrence. The resulting hazy brown or orange skies impede the sunlight necessary for solar panels to generate electricity.

While solar panels are considered environmentally friendly and emissions-free, they cease to produce electricity when wildfires occur. This predicament extends across New England and parts of the Midwest. Matt Kakley, a spokesperson for ISO-New England, remarked, "With a situation like this, it's truly unprecedented. We have limited historical data to rely on. We are learning in real time."

New England is fortunate in that solar energy accounts for only about 3 percent of its overall power generation, minimizing the losses. However, if the push for renewable energy intensifies, as advocated by some, solar and wind power would comprise the majority of energy generation. Unfortunately, both solar and wind power are reliant on ideal weather conditions and struggle to function optimally in adverse weather.

It is worth noting that coal, oil, and gas power generation operate regardless of weather conditions. Only renewable energy sources face challenges when the air quality is poor or when the skies are obscured by smoke, limiting sunlight. In essence, "renewable" energy output is contingent on near-perfect weather conditions, which are constantly changing, resulting in highly variable energy production.

New York is currently one of the states most severely impacted, having lost 1,466 megawatts (MW) in solar production between June 6 and June 7. To put this in perspective, a single megawatt can typically power 800 to 1,000 homes, as reported by The Verge.

Ironically, the thick smoke has contributed to reduced temperatures across the region, leading to fewer people relying on air conditioning to stay cool. However, opening windows for fresh air is impractical due to the smoke pollution.

The Biden administration is actively devising strategies to transition the nation's electricity generation to "pollution-free" sources like solar power by 2035, despite the substantial energy consumption required to manufacture solar panels.

In September 2020, historic wildfires in California led to a 30 percent decrease in solar power generation. Unlike New England, California relies much more heavily on solar energy, accounting for approximately 14 percent of the state's total energy production. The same year witnessed a record number of blackouts due to extreme weather conditions and associated fires.

The notion of "green" energy is not without its challenges and limitations, contradicting its perceived advantages.