Photovoltaic based distributed generation as a demand response strategy in Puerto Rico

The generation potential of grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) is examined along with the environmental benefits associated with introducing this technology in Puerto Rico. It is found that PV technology could potentially displace the Island's whole energy demand. The dispersed "roof resource" in the island would allow the use of PV technology as a demand response strategy. A modeling methodology is developed to determine the average operating efficiency of grid-tied PV systems using only measured average climatic conditions. Solar resource is modeled as a probability density function of the clearness index. The proposed methodology considers the hourly variations in efficiency due to variations in solar resource. Energy yields can be estimated with less than 1.5% difference to hourly simulations. The economic feasibility of PV systems in Puerto Rico is examined. The results show that PV-based DG may be feasible due to the high costs of energy and the high energy escalation rate.