Effect of Solar Mounting Configurations on California Zero-Carbon Grid

Using solar mounting configurations that result in various daily and seasonal solar generation profiles might be impactful in designing a future renewables-driven grid. We study the effects of PV-panel tilt and tracking on California zero-carbon grid modeling and compare results for multiple target years between 2030 and 2045 and for a range of cost assumptions. Using south-facing tilt in the candidate solar projects significantly reduces the annual solar curtailment in 2045. Tilted panels can decrease the total system (grid) cost and average annual cost of delivered solar electricity over time if technological advancement can lower the cost for tilting.