The Solar Deployment Strategy (SDS) tool, available publicly for download with an accompanying report, models future adoption of solar in a defined region.
It forecasts “behavioral response” to cost-effectiveness using electric rates, compensation policies for excess solar, and incentives. The SDS uses machine-learning methods: logistic regression of predictor variables, and training on historical data.
Three case studies, detailed below, illustrate the usefulness of employing the SDS in specific scenarios:
- Residents served by investor-owned utilities
- 10% solar adoption across Minnesota
- Incentives and adoption in Saint Paul and Duluth
Solar Deployment Strategy Case Studies (click to expand)
These slides, presented, by Ben Norris from Clean Power Research, describe the results of the first of three case studies completed for the Minnesota Solar Pathways project, using the Solar Development Strategy (SDS) tool. This study uses hourly load data by class provided by Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and Otter Tail Power. Three scenarios are included: residential demand rate, residential TOD rate, and various incentive scenarios.
These slides, presented, by Ben Norris from Clean Power Research, describe the results of the second of three case studies completed for the Minnesota Solar Pathways project, using the Solar Development Strategy (SDS) tool. This study takes the IOU results and expands them to cover the entire state of Minnesota.
These slides, presented, by Ben Norris from Clean Power Research, describe the results of the third of three case studies completed for the Minnesota Solar Pathways project, using the Solar Development Strategy (SDS) tool. This study looks at the effect of incentives on solar adoption in Saint Paul and Duluth.
About MN Solar Pathways
The initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, is a three-year project designed to explore least-risk, best-value strategies for meeting the State of Minnesota’s solar goals. As part of this aim, the Pathways Team is modeling renewable generation costs, examining ways to streamline interconnection, and evaluating technologies that can increase solar hosting capacity on the distribution grid.
MN Solar Pathways is led by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Great Plains Institute, Center for Energy and Environment, Clean Energy Resource Teams, and Clean Power Research. 20 other organizations, from utilities to advocacy groups and from corporations to local governments, have contributed their time and expertise in the review and creation of reports for the initiative.
More MN Solar Pathways Reports
Final Technical Report to U.S. Dept. of Energy
This is the final technical report submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy summarizing the efforts and findings of the MN Solar Pathways project.
Report: Solar Potential Analysis – MISO Region
This report attempts to answer the question: How do we achieve 100% renewables across the MISO region while not breaking the bank?