First Results of a Low Cost All-Sky Imager for Cloud Tracking and Intra-Hour Irradiance Forecasting Serving a PV-Based Smart Grid in La Graciosa Island

A low cost, edge computing, all-sky imager for cloud tracking and intra-hour irradiance forecasting has been deployed on the island of La Graciosa (Canary Islands) (29°13'51.07"N 13°30'11.09"W) in support of a new PV-based smart grid scheduled for deployment before the end of 2017. This work provides a brief description of the current power grid, the unique weather conditions on La Graciosa, the role expected for the all-sky imager in the new smart grid, a brief description of the all-sky imager deployment and operational procedures, including first images and preliminary data analyses. First intrahour forecasting results were not possible because local authorities have not yet connected the PV plants to the smart grid and supplied the output data required to contrast the predictions with the actual power outputs.