A GEOGRPAHIC SYSTEMS APPROACH TO DEVELOPING A DISTRIBUTED GENREATION SYSTEM IN THE TOWN OF NORMAL, ILLINOIS

摘要

The Town of Normal's electric power infrastructure and their community leaders' progressive decisions to incorporate sustainability into the town's strategic plan have prompted conditions favorable to distributed generation (DG). Increased quality assurance through DG from small modular sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been recognized by the recent Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) 1% DG carve-out. To determine the feasibility of DG implementation, preliminary analysis deploying a new geographic information systems approach was required. The unique methodology of this study provides the Town of Normal with an opportunity to invest in their energy future and economic stability by-assessing the town's solar potential. This study reports the outcomes of a technical assessment of the Town of Normal's solar irradiance determining rooftop PV potential. The results of this paper will assist in assessing the economic and environmental impacts of integrating varying amounts of solar photovoltaic modules into the existing electrical infrastructure.