New Jersey-based Locus Energy says it has launched a beta version of its solar forecasting service for grid operators. The company says the service provides a short-term (0-6 hours) forecast tool capable of predicting solar irradiance and power across an entire install base or geographic region.
The service projects cloud motion by applying computer vision algorithms to real-time satellite imagery in order to forecast solar irradiance and power. Locus Energy uses its Virtual Irradiance anaylsis tool that incorporates existing historical and real-time irradiance data. It also performs modeling functions on its SolarOS system. Dynamic groups of PV arrays in selected geographies are modeled using the company's SolaNOC system.
‘Solar forecasting can provide insights into how incoming weather patterns will impact solar power generation, allowing grid operators to adapt and optimally plan non-solar power generation,’ says Locus Energy's Chief Technology Officer Shawn Kerrigan.
