Comparison of solar irradiance smoothing using a 45-sensor network and the wavelet variability model

Ana Dyreson, Eric Morgan, Sam Monger, Tom L Acker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

With increasing penetrations of solar photovoltaic (PV) power in the electricity grid, the variability of the irradiance, and therefore power, is important to understand because variable resources can challenge grid operations. Predicting PV variability using one irradiance sensor, as is commonly done, does not account for the smoothing of irradiance over the extent of the power plant. This smoothing is examined using two methods: averaging measurements from many irradiance sensors, and using a model developed by Lave, Kleissl, and Stein [1] called the Wavelet Variability Model. The results show the similarities and differences between two irradiance smoothing models. These two models both show that the smoothing effect is significant for large PV power plants, which means the power plant output has less variability and is easier to integrate into the electricity grid than might have been expected using a single point sensor measurement to predict variability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy
PublisherAmerican Solar Energy Society
Pages249-256
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781510801790
StatePublished - 2014
Event43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Jul 6 2014Jul 10 2014

Publication series

Name43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy
Volume1

Other

Other43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period7/6/147/10/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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