CALIFORNIA'S SELF-GENERATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM MEASURED 2007 PV PERFORMANCE

摘要

With the increasing interest in solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies and their possible benefits, a number of states are adopting policies to accelerate growth of PV generating capacity. As a result, measured performance of installed PV systems is becoming more important. With an estimated 450 MW of PV, California has more installed PV capacity than any other state in the country. Nearly one-third of California's installed PV capacity is associated with the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). This paper presents findings from an impact evaluation conducted on the SGIP covering calendar year 2007 and focuses specifically on the measured performance of PV systems deployed under the SGIP (1). The impact evaluation encompasses all SGIP projects that came on-line prior to January 1, 2008. The evaluation examines impacts of SGIP projects on California's energy delivery; peak demand; and greenhouse gas emissions. During 2007, SGIP PV projects delivered over 166,000 MWh of electricity to California's grid. In addition, SGIP PV projects contributed slightly more than 65 MW of generating capacity during the California Independent System Operator (CAISO)'s 2007 system peak load ; representing a peak hour demand capacity factor of over 60 percent. Total net greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction attributable to SGIP PV systems for 2007 is estimated to be 96,621 tons of CO_2 equivalent; corresponding to a reduction of 0.60 tons of CO_2 equivalent per MWh of electricity generated.