Characterizing local high-frequency solar variability and its impact to distribution studies

Lave, Matthew Samuel; Reno, Matthew J.; Broderick, Robert Joseph

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2015.05.028

Characterizing local high-frequency solar variability and its impact to distribution studies

Journal Article · Thu Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2015.05.028· OSTI ID:1497655

Lave, Matthew Samuel ^[1]; Reno, Matthew J. ^[2]; Broderick, Robert Joseph ^[2]

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Accurately representing the local solar variability at timescales relevant to distribution grid operations (30-seconds and shorter) is essential to modeling the impact of solar photovoltaics (PV) on distribution feeders. Due to a lack of available high-frequency solar data, some distribution grid studies have used synthetically-created PV variability or measured PV variability from a different location than their study location. In this work, we show the importance of using accurate solar PV variability inputs in distribution studies. Using high-frequency solar irradiance data from 10 locations in the United States, we compare the ramp rate distributions at the different locations, use a quantitative metric to describe the solar variability, and run distribution simulations using representative 1-week samples from each location to determine the impact of solar variability on the number of tap change operations. Results indicate up to a 300% difference in the number of tap change operations when using PV variability profiles from the different locations.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Program (EE-2A)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000

OSTI ID:: 1497655

Report Number(s):: SAND--2014-16368J; 672037

Journal Information:: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 118; ISSN 0038-092X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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