What is solar curtailment?

Solar curtailment definition: Solar curtailment is the intentional reduction or restriction of solar power generation from photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems due to factors such as oversupply, grid congestion, or lack of demand. When solar power generation exceeds the grid’s capacity, it is unable to absorb or distribute it effectively.

How can we reduce solar power curtailment?

Efforts to reduce curtailment include using energy storage solutions like batteries to store excess solar power for later use. Improving grid infrastructure to handle more power and better transmission capacity can also help accommodate higher levels of solar generation.

Can solar storage eliminate PV curtailment?

From a grid perspective, the round-trip efficiency losses associated with storage represent curtailed PV output. Thus storage of PV output cannot fully eliminate curtailment. connecting the solar resources to load centers. In terms of policy, PV curtailment is discouraged to different degrees by different regional policies.

How can solar PV plants reduce curtailment?

Solar PV plants can minimize curtailment through various means, including improving grid infrastructure, implementing energy storage solutions, adjusting electricity pricing mechanisms, and incentivizing flexible electricity consumption. One of the most effective ways to reduce curtailment is by using tools such as the RatedPower software.

How does a curtailment of solar PV impact the economy?

Curtailing PV output at times of high solar irradiance and moderate-low electricity demand will increase as the penetration of solar PV grows. At larger volumes, curtailment has the potential to undermine the economics of new solar PV projects by reducing revenue certainty for PV plants that sell electricity on the wholesale market.

Is PV curtailment a good idea?

However, changing grid and technological contexts warrant new thinking on PV curtailment. In the grid context, as grids integrate more PV and other renewable energy generation, seeking an optimal level of accepted curtailment becomes more efficient than preventing it.