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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

Automating the early phase of the PV power plant development

Alternative title: Automatisering av den tidlige fasen i utvikling av solenergiparker

Awarded: NOK 7.4 mill.

PV technology has been proven to offer low costs of electricity and extreme scaleability. It has also been shown to be particularly suitable for accelerated deployment of renewable electricity. Simultaneously, many investors have available capital for PV investments, a prerequisite for further growth. A main bottleneck today is to give these investors access to good sites for development of PV power plants and more efficient an automated tools in the early phase of the solar value chain. In this project, satellite data, machine learning, various data sources and IFE’s PV competence will enable Glint Solar to create unique products for early-stage site-selection for utility-scale PV power plants. The project partners will also work closely with several leading solar developing companies when developing the tool.

PV technology has been proven to offer low costs of electricity and extreme scaleability. It has also been shown to be particularty suitable for accelerated deployment of renewable electricity. Simultaneously, many investors have available capital for PV investments, a prerequisite for further growth. A main bottleneck today is to give these investors access to good sites for development of PV power plants. In this project, Glint Solar will work closely with IFE to create the world leading product for early-stage site-selection and analysis. This addresses a main obstacle to accelerated PV deployment today. In this project, satellite data, machine learning and IFE’s PV competence will enable Glint Solar to create unique products for early-stage site-selection for utility-scale PV power plants. Site-selection is a time consuming process involving gathering data from many sources in many formats and interacting with many stakeholders. In many cases, low quality data and information make robust production and cost estimates more challenging. Moreover, the limited capacity of developers to evaluate multiple sites in parallel reduces the likelihood of truly optimizing the site-selection process, reducing conflict and delays, and maximizing project profitability. This project will develop the scientific basis required for developing new products enabling customers to increase their site-selection and analysis capacity. The project will develop methods and algorithms enabling five new functionalities: - Optimal site-selection for mono-facial and bi-facial PV power plants - Precise cost estimations based on new models of site-specific requirements for plant design and O&M - Increased automation of PV power plant design - Easy evaluation of PV hybrid and PV+storage opportunities - A platform for efficient data and information gathering and interaction with stakeholders

Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi