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Final Technical Report: Low-Cost Solar Variability Sensors for Ubiquitous Deployment.

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1234481· OSTI ID:1234481
 [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

In this project, an integrated solution to measuring and collecting solar variability data called the solar variability datalogger (SVD) was developed, tested, and the value of its data to distribution grid integration studies was demonstrated. This work addressed the problem that high-frequency solar variability is rarely measured – due to the high cost and complex installation of existing solar irradiance measuring pyranometers – but is critical to the accurate determination of the impact of photovoltaics to electric grid operation. For example, up to a 300% difference in distribution grid voltage regulator tap change operations (a measure of the impact of PV) [1] has been observed due solely to different solar variability profiles.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Program (EE-2A)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1234481
Report Number(s):
SAND--2016-0067R; 617556
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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