Greentech Lead America: Locus Energy has announced the beta launch of its solar forecasting service.
The forecasting service provides a short-term (0-6 hours) forecast tool capable of predicting solar irradiance and power across an entire install base or geographic region.
The solar forecasting service leverages Virtual Irradiance and builds upon the existing historical and real-time irradiance and power modeling features currently available through Locus Energy’s SolarOS Â platform.
The feature can also utilize SolaNOC functionality to model dynamic groups of PV arrays in selected geographies.
Building on the latest research in artificial intelligence and remote sensing, the service projects cloud motion by applying patent-pending computer vision algorithms to real-time satellite imagery in order to forecast solar irradiance and power.
According to Locus Energy’s CTO, Dr. Shawn Kerrigan, “solar forecasting can provide insights into how incoming weather patterns will impact solar power generation, allowing grid operators to adapt and optimally plan non-solar power generation.”
High-quality, verifiable solar forecasts provide utilities and ISOs with a valuable tool to efficiently manage the integration of solar generation into the electric grid.