Intermittent energy source: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 07:43, 25 July 2018

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[[File:ATTParkannualoutput.png|250px|thumb|right|Seasonal variation of the output of the solar panels at AT&T park in San Francisco]]

Intermittency inherently affects some types of solar energy, as the production of renewable electricity from solar sources depends on the amount of sunlight at a given place and time, if not storage systems are used. SolarIn this context, solar output varies throughout the day and through the seasons, and is affected by dust, fog, cloud cover, frost or snow. Many of the seasonal factors are fairly predictable, and some solar thermal systems make use of heat storage to produce grid power for a full day.<ref>[http://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/2011/10/25/gemasolar_energia_non_stop.html Gemasolar, energía non stop] Spanish 26 October 2011</ref>

* '''Intermittency:''' In the absence of an [[energy storage system]], solar does not produce power at night or in bad weather and varies between summer and winter. When intended to produce electricity only for peak [[air conditioning]] loads in the summer, there is no intermittency; in the winter can be complemented with wind power for peak loads.

* '''Capacity factor''' Photovoltaic solar in Massachusetts 12–15%.<ref name="RERLWind">{{cite web|url=http://www.ceere.org/rerl/about_wind/RERL_Fact_Sheet_2a_Capacity_Factor.pdf |title=Wind Power: Capacity Factor, Intermittency, and what happens when the wind doesn't blow? |accessdate=2008-10-16 |format=PDF |work=Renewable Energy Research Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Amherst |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001205145/http://www.ceere.org/rerl/about_wind/RERL_Fact_Sheet_2a_Capacity_Factor.pdf |archivedate=2008-10-01 |df= }}</ref> Photovoltaic solar in Arizona 19%.<ref name='THSolarVsWind'>{{cite web|url=http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/solar-versus-wind-power.php |title=Solar Versus Wind Power: Which Has The Most Stable Power Output? |accessdate=2008-10-16 |last=Laumer |first=John |date = June 2008|work=Treehugger }}</ref> Thermal [[solar parabolic trough]] with storage 56%.<ref name='NRELSolar'>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35060.pdf |title=Executive Summary: Assessment of Parabolic Trough and Power Tower Solar Technology Cost and Performance Forecasts |accessdate=2016-11-07 |date = October 2003|format=PDF |work=National Renewable Energy Laboratory }}</ref> Thermal [[solar power tower]] with storage 73%.<ref name="NRELSolar"/>