Utility-scale solar has become an important and growing part of the electric generation portfolio in the Unites States. Existing or “traditional” utility-scale solar is designed and operated to generate and deliver the maximum amount of electricity in real time. Operational challenges are becoming evident in markets with high penetrations of traditional utility-scale solar. These challenges include variable output, lack of robust ancillary services, and dispatch limitations.
A common response to this challenge is to simply pair traditional utility-scale solar with flexible natural gas generation. However, this is not the only option.
