Lessons learned with residential photovoltaic systems

Under sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Ascension Technology conducted an analysis and assessment of three major line-interconnected residential photovoltaic (PV) system projects in the United States: the New England, Electric System Photovoltaic Research and Demonstration Project (Gardner, MA), the John F. Long, Properties Solar One Project (Phoenix, AZ), and the Laguna Del Mar townhouse Project (Carlsbad, CA). Investigations included issues of PV system design, system effects on utility loads, homeowner experiences/attitudes, and host utility experiences. The goal of this work is to summarize the lessons learned from these projects and thereby help utilities plan for the future of PV systems. Among the lessons learned are that PV can reduce peak system loads, rooftops are viable locations for PV arrays, utility, ownership has benefits, and power conditioners are the key to system reliability