Introduction
Solar energy's growth is accelerating due to lower production costs and the rise of megaprojects. However, traditional approaches to managing weather-related risks, such as climate change, grid integration, large-scale project design, and a trend towards 'data shopping', may be hindered by the following factors. Solar developers relying on outdated standards of solar resource assessment and forecasting may be left unable to accurately evaluate the future production of their assets. Unreliable data affects valuations of proposed and existing projects, with an impact felt throughout the entire project lifecycle.
In the world of megaprojects, there is little room for errors, and a 1% decrease in asset performance translates to lost revenue of EUR 1,000/MW/year. To support solar developers as they build at greater scale than ever before, we have ranked the five most critical data challenges facing the successful global deployment of large-scale solar.
Challenges 1: Project design is pushed to the limits
Solar energy has stood unaided across many markets globally in the last few years, adopting new technologies such as bi-facial PV modules and trackers to support ever lower prices at auctions. In this environment, project design is being pushed to the limits, with very little margin for error. Without good data inputs, developers risk making costly mistakes as assets fail to deliver on projected production.
Challenge 2: Climate resilience
Solar is facing a changing risk profile due to fluctuations of established weather patterns caused by climate change. Reducing resource risk is seen as a high priority for leading businesses in solar energy. Using validated meteorological and environmental data to underpin a more complete evaluation of risks faced by projects can help ensure that assets retain their value throughout their lifecycle.
Challenge 3: Grid integration and storage
A significant challenge associated with the global implementation of solar energy has been the integration into existing electrical grids. Solar energy generation is subject to seasonal variations and ceases during nighttime hours. Grids can also be affected by high solar power variation due changes in cloud cover. This challenge propels ongoing investment in 'solar plus storage' and solar/wind hybrid initiatives, as the industry prepares for extensive grid integration and strives to fulfill the technical specifications of contemporary smart grids.
As the intricacy of energy infrastructure escalates, it prompts significant inquiries regarding the quality of data presently employed within the solar sector. In order to address the constraints associated with solar photovoltaic technology and to satisfy emerging utility requirements, the industry must depend on precise and highly detailed data. Underestimating the necessity for dependable data to efficiently manage solar projects may lead to curtailment resulting from overproduction, as well as penalties imposed by grid operators for failing to fulfill their obligations. In the context of large-scale initiatives, this is of paramount importance; no operator wishes to assume responsibility for a blackout.
Challenge 4: Overlooked Opportunities for On-Site Measurements
Large-scale solar initiatives require an extended duration to advance from the stage of project award to the attainment of financial closure. During this period, developers can attain greater assurance regarding the profitability of their projects by conducting measurements of solar radiation and, increasingly, albedo. However, the importance of conducting reliable on-site measurements is frequently overlooked, resulting in the loss of a crucial source of information necessary for tailoring satellite-based model outputs to the specific geographical conditions of the site. Even in instances where measurements are conducted, they frequently fail to meet the requisite standards necessary to provide meaningful value.