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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FORECASTING SOLAR POWER

  • US 20110276269A1
  • Filed: 05/09/2011
  • Published: 11/10/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2010
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A method of forecasting power output of a photovoltaic plant having a photovoltaic array, the method comprising:

  • receiving meteorological data that includes, for each of multiple future times, a prediction of global horizontal irradiance for each of multiple locations, wherein—

    the photovoltaic plant has a location corresponding to one of the multiple locations, andthe prediction of global horizontal irradiance is based upon satellite data;

    determining, from the meteorological data, the predicted global horizontal irradiance for the location of the photovoltaic plant at a future time;

    accessing array data for the photovoltaic array of the photovoltaic plant, wherein the array data includes at least one of a tilt of the photovoltaic array and an azimuth of the photovoltaic array;

    calculating a predicted plane of array irradiance for the photovoltaic array at the future time based upon the predicted global horizontal irradiance and the array data;

    forecasting, by a computing system having a processor and a memory, a power output of the photovoltaic plant at the future time based on the predicted plane of array irradiance;

    receiving data obtained from a ground-based instrument proximate to the location of the photovoltaic plant; and

    based upon the ground-based instrument data, performing one of confirming the forecasted power output of the photovoltaic plant at the future time and modifying the forecasted power output of the photovoltaic plant at the future time.

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