Yes, I believe that’s the general understanding. Any influence of planets upon the sun, as by tidal forces, is way weaker than whatever mighty internal oscillation makes the sun break out in spots every 11 years or so, and can’t “steer” the spots or the manner or direction in which they generate flares.
Things could get interesting but I still doubt that flares could induce potentials high enough to overcome the insulation on most high tension lines. They are more likely to pop breakers with current surges and do no permanent harm.
Well, I’m certainly no electrician and I’m unclear what you mean about high tension lines. When I look at the high power transmission lines in my area, they appear bare, i.e., silvery. My friends talk about the need to “shield” electronic devices by encasing them in something like a metal shipping container situated on rubber feet so the container isn’t grounded. Its my understanding that the newest Navy ships are similarly sheilded but thats because they’re designed to survive an EMP pulse that would precede a nuke blast.
http://www.ips.gov.au/Educational/1/3/12
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/sun_darkness.html