Solar Power Data for Integration Studies

Abstract

The Solar Power Data for Integration Studies consist of 1 year (2006) of 5-minute solar power and hourly day-ahead forecasts for approximately 6,000 simulated PV plants. Solar power plant locations were determined based on the capacity expansion plan for high-penetration renewables in Phase 2 of the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study and the Eastern Renewable Generation Integration Study.

NREL generated the 5-minute data set using the Sub-Hour Irradiance Algorithm. The day-ahead solar forecast data for locations in the western United States were generated by 3TIER based on numerical weather predication simulations for Phase 1 of the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study. NREL generated the day-ahead solar forecast data in eastern U.S. locations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model.

The data are for specific years and should not be assumed to be representative of typical radiation levels for a site. These data should not generally be used for site-specific project development work.