Exploring the merits of geographical diversification of solar PV power plants for a resilient PV-dominated electricity grid in India

Abstract

Abstract India is highly dependent on solar photovoltaics (PV) to harness its vast solar resource potential and combat climate change. However, $\sim$90% of the installed PV capacity in India is concentrated in the top nine states, with the remaining states lagging behind. The research reveals that during monsoons, heavy cloud cover and rain lead to high solar resource variability, intermittency and the risk of very low PV generation, which can result in reliability issues in future PV-dominated electricity grids. Although energy storage can help in overcoming high intermittency, there are multiple challenges associated with it. The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating the benefits of combining multiple PV sites in various regions to mitigate the risks of low PV generation and high variability. The variability of individual sites was found to be up to $\sim$3.5 times higher than the variability of combined generation. During noon, prominent solar park sites like Bhadla and NP Kunta experience a decrease in power generation to values as low as $\sim$10% of the rated PV capacity. However, the minimum generation of the large-scale dispersed PV generation is $>$30%. Furthermore, the research identifies other benefits of dispersing PV generation across the country, viz., reduction of seasonal variability by adding PV capacity in the southern region, widening of the PV generation span, more room for PV capacity addition, reduction in storage and ramping needs, utilization of hydroelectric potential of the north-east and PV potential of Ladakh, and creating opportunities for sustainable development in rural agrarian regions through agrivoltaics.