Effective large-scale PV integration: Methods to match load profile with actual PV output

In the foreseeable future, sustainable electrical energy systems should be capable to handle up to 100% of renewable energy contribution. Due to the recent price-drops, PV will play a major role in the global renewable energy portfolio. The technical implications of this development (also referred to as “energy transition” in Germany) in all areas electricity supply (generation, transmission, distribution, management) are manifold and consequently lead to a new system design. For the effective integration of PV the major challenges are volatile generation given by sun´s position, actual weather conditions, and the load level. On one hand the article addresses the generation side by adapting the PV power plant layout to meet the load requirements (e.g., via azimuth and tilt angle modification to achieve peak power output during periods of high demand and higher prices on the spot market, or via thermal conditioning of PV modules (e.g. more power output in the morning), and on the other hand the article discusses several possibilities of load management (e.g., load shifting, inducements, load adaptation, appropriate market design).