Two Years of Performance Data for the World's Largest Photovoltaic Power Plant

Abstract

The Carrisa Plains Photovoltaic Power Plant is the largest photovoltaic central station power plant in the world. The plant, interconnected to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PGandE's) transmission network, is owned and operated by ARCO Solar, Inc. This paper summarizes the plant's performance from January, 1984 to October, 1985. Performance is analyzed in terms of energy output, capacity factors, and match to PGandE's system load. The plant has been a reliable energy producer, has had high capacity factors during peak hours in the summer months, and has proven to be a good match to PGandE's peak system load.