Tracking shadows

Cloud surveillance: A criticism commonly leveled at renewable energy producers is that the electricity they supply is variable and intermittent. However, the ability to make accurate short-term output forecasts can help to overcome this perception and ensure stability of supply. Satellites are used to make longer-term weather and, in particular, cloud forecasts for PV plants, but within short timeframes satellites lack the resolution to do so accurately. A new project bringing together researchers, a plant owner/operator, grid operator and state and national government agencies hopes to overcome this hurdle, and track and predict the shadows cast by cloudy skies.