Photovoltaic Power Generation for Utilities: The Implications of Some Recent Projects and Design Studies

A discussion is given of experience, to date, in the construction and operation of six recent moderately large (≥100 kW) photovoltaic power plants that are interconnected with electric utility transmission/distribution grids. Three recent design studies of utility-scale (100-200 MW) photovoltaic generating plants are also described. On the basis of the project experience and the design studies, some answers are obtained for likely utility industry questions about this novel generation technology.