Photovoltaic Power Generation

Since 1977 the U.S. National Photovoltaic Program has actively supported the design, construction and operation of a variety of photovoltaic power system applications classed as Intermediate size systems and ranging in size from 15 kW to 1000 kW. To date fourteen systems have been built and generally are operating as planned. One lOOkW application project was terminated before the completion of the project due to exhaustion of funds and too ambitious of a project. The fourteen operating systems represented a total installed peak generating capacity of 1,164 kW and have delivered nearly 2,000 MWH of energy. Under the U.S. National Program two additional intermediate size photovoltaic power plants are under construction and are expected to become operational during 1984. These two plants represent a total of 1,300 kW of peak generating capacity and should deliver over 1800 MWH of energy per year. In addition the U.S. Photovoltaic Program has committed most of the funding to support the design, procurement and construction of a 1000 kW photovoltaic plant. This .plant will be constructed and installed during the 1984-1985 period. Current U. S. Program Plans do not anticipate funding any further Intermediate size photovoltaic power plants. In parallel with the government program, the private sector has begun building and installing Intermediate (and larger) size photovoltaic power systems. Over the past 21 months, the private sector has installed four Intermediate size PV systems in the U.S.