Impact of solar energy on electric utility generation system reliability and operations

Generation system reliability and operations with photovoltaic electric power systems on the electric utility system were discussed. Over the years, the utility industry has developed a methodology to evaluate conventional thermal generation consisting of system reliability and production cost calculations. Although these methods might have to be modified slightly, it is important that new forms of generation be evaluated in a consistent manner. How these modifications can be accomplished to handle an intermittent power source such as solar photovoltaic power plants was shown. Results were presented which illustrate the usage of this approach. Applications of this method, when coupled with assessments of capital cost requirements will yield estimates of photovoltaic electric power system value in actual utility systems.