Solar Resource-Utility Load Matching Assessment: NREL Photovoltaic Project Summary

Many utility planners may be unfamiliar with the potential for the development of photovoltaics (PV) in their service areas. The goal of the research summarized in this document is to provide information on the match existing between the output of PV power plants and the load requirements of U.S. utilities (Fig. 1). This material indicates whether or not the effective capacity (hence the value)of this renewable resource should be higher than that traditionally assigned to an intermittent resource.