Temporal Solar Photovoltaic Generation Capacity Reduction From Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke and other particulate matter can substantially inhibit solar photovoltaic (PV) generation production. While PV facilities may not be located in areas with a high fire risk, from wildfires travel hundreds of kilometers impacting large number facilities. This paper proposes geospatial wildfire capacity model to quantify the anticipated temporal reduction due smoke. A case study using data for two time periods 2020 California real utility scale evidences model's accuracy. Results argue that cause significant reductions over wide geographic regions. Application proposed inform power system resiliency planning is demonstrated use cases: scheduling siting. With meteorological service providers beginning release forecasts, our enables balancing authorities make this information proactively schedule compensate capacity. The trained also produces derate maps enable developers consider historical derates when making siting or decisions.