Full Title: Integrating small solar farms to the grid: a ‘smart’ guide
Author(s): ABB Inc.
Publisher(s): ABB Inc.
Publication Date: October 1, 2015
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
The construction of small solar farms is running ahead of grid integration rules in many areas, and that can be a problem for utilities. In states where there is nothing like California’s trendsetting Rule 21 in place to oversee the process – and FERC rules do not apply – utilities are finding the best way to manage this solar flood is to “smarten” their transmission and distribution grids. [1] By embracing the smart grid, utilities are not only mitigating the technical difficulties associated with integrating solar farms, they are also putting themselves in a position to benefit from the enhanced stability and reliability renewable generation can provide. On a broader level, investment in a smarter grid can directly benefit ratepayers – through the use of the most economic technologies, designs, and operating practices – while also helping states meet their renewable portfolio standard goals. So, to help utilities jumpstart the process of integrating small solar farms, this paper will: a) identify issues their counterparts around the country have encountered; b) offer a brief guide to anticipating those issues, including questions to ask solar developers; c) provide some technical guidelines along with; d) a glimpse of the future – and indeed some cautions. One point should be emphasized up front: Any guidelines will require continual updating in the face of constant technological change, pressure to meet state and local objectives for solar development, and real-world experience as t