Page 216 - Applied Photovoltaics

three years, is shown in Figs. 10.13a (24 hour) and 10.13b (peak hours only).
The plant’s availability over the years 1985–1988 was 97% (Rannels, 1991).
The PG&E peak electricity demand occurs in summer afternoons. The very
high capacity factor of the Carissa Plains plant during periods of peak demand
(12.30–18.30, May–September) made it an almost ideal peaking plant. The
Carissa Plains installation has since been dismantled and sold off.

(a)

(b)
Figure 10.13. Capacity factors achieved over three years at the Carissa Plains PV
power station (©1987 IEEE, Hoff). (a) 24 hour capacity factor. (b) Peak hour
capacity factor.

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