Validation of solar PV power forecasting methods for high penetration grid integration

This paper describes ongoing research in the area of solar PV production forecasting intended to address a range of effects on the utility grid associated with high penetrations of PV. The ability to anticipate near-term - minutes ahead to hours ahead to day or multiple-day ahead- production of the variable solar resource will be key to successfully integrating ever larger PV capacities with minimal costs. A number of forecast methodologies are surveyed and a mechanism for validating their performance is described.