Sun, Solar and the Grid

Situated in the nation's sunniest state, Arizona Public Service (APS) is taking a lead in evaluating the implications of high solar penetration in the power grid. In one experimental project, APS is installing solar production meters, in addition to regular smart meters, in residences with photovoltaic installations. Data taken every 15 minutes will be correlated with historical information about weather and irradiation, to produce solar production forecasts for individual arrays, neighborhoods and whole regions.