Solar flares don't destroy electronics. They induce current in long conductors like power lines. I think the confusion comes from nearby nuclear EMP, which dest

Solar flares don't destroy electronics. They induce current in long conductors like power lines. I think the confusion comes from nearby nuclear EMP, which destroys electronics, and high-altitude EMP, which induces currents. Solar flares are basically larger-scale high-altitude EMP. It is relatively easy to protect the electrical grid, grounding everything and putting surge protectors in front of transformers. The problem is that we aren't doing those protections. Also, the grid is not vulnerable when disconnected; it is possible to turn off the grid for predicted flare and then restart it. Being lazy about protection is not a universal. Any aliens with more active star would have done the protection from the beginning. Aliens from more quiet stars don't need it.