Electric Utility Modeling Extensions to Evaluate Solar Plants

Due to the diurnal nature of the sunshine and the uncertainty of weather, and the occasional implementation of dedicated storage, solar plants present a unique challenge to the electric utility planner. Extensions are required to conventional utility models to capture the peculiar operating characteristics of solar plants, in particular their impact upon the bulk electrical supply system´s reliable load carrying capability. This paper presents model extensions implemented to assist in determining the potential value and reliability impact of solar plants.