This effect is known as sunglint, and occurs when sunlight is reflected off the surface of Earth at the same angle that the sensor views it. Sunglint in satellite imagery is often seen over water, but it is also seen reflected from solar panels. While an interesting phenomenon to see, there’s actually an important connection between satellite observations and solar energy production. Detailed data about clouds from NOAA satellites can aid solar energy forecasts.
So how can the solar industry determine how much sunlight their systems will get, monitor efficiency, and maintain a balance between power generation and consumption? The view from 22,300 miles above can help. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites are particularly useful in the short-term prediction of solar radiation for renewable energy production.
GOES cloud information can also be used to improve the starting point of numerical forecast models as well, through a process called data assimilation. Techniques for relating the observed clouds to characteristics of the environment such as temperature, moisture, vertical motion, and horizontal winds can help better inform models, leading to better cloud forecasts at multi-hour time scales, when the details of the currently-observed cloud field will have changed significantly.
The satellite is geostationary, both it and the earth moved through the sun’s rays.
Glint pollution. The reason why my electric bill triples after 4pm as the sun drops low in the west and that load of toxic oil and concrete and steel and boron doesn't provide power to the grid. Working people are doing their laundry after midnight. F you, solar corruption.
NWS Eyesore
NWSSacramento Just think about the wildlife getting cooked by those
NWS Hopefully one day that will become a common thing
Coolio