Solar utilization plans for system and resource effective deployment of photovoltaic systems

In this project, a methodology to facilitate resource- and system-efficient expansion of solar power generation has been developed. A case study of Herrljunga municipality and the local electricity network shows how local solar utilization plans can be designed in collaboration between the municipality and distribution system operators. The final goal of the project has been to develop and demonstrate a methodology for establishing solar utilization plans, where particularly favorable locations for solar power plants are identified. This has been done through simultaneous geographical mapping of potential solar resource availability on rooftops and land areas, the extent and capacity of the electricity grid, land and buildings worthy of protection and areas of interest for urban development.

The project has resulted in a general methodology for solar utilization plans where available areas for solar power generation are identified and linked to suitable substations in the local medium voltage network. The case study for Herrljunga municipality shows that the proportion of areas that are accessible, large enough and close enough to a suitable network substation is relatively small, especially for larger solar parks, which shows the benefit of solar utilization plans. The project also shows that a well-planned connection of solar parks, where the choice of geographical location and connection point is made with care, can mean that the number of facilities that can be connected without the need for network reinforcements or other measures in the network is many times higher than with unplanned expansion and connection.

A map image with a circled area about three kilometers in diameter with markings of what appears in the caption. — Examples of land areas (polygons) and adjacent substations (circles) that allow connection of differently sized solar parks (1, 3, and 5 MW, respectively). From the case study for Herrljunga municipality.

Final report

Final report can be found on Swedish Energy Agency's website

Funded by

Swedish Energy Agency

Time period

2018-2021

Partner organizations

Uppsala University, Herrljunga Elektriska, Herrljunga municipality

Project leader

Joakim Widén

Project members

Joakim Widén, UU
David Lingfors, UU
Oskar Lindberg, UU
Alfred Birging, UU
Irene Almenar Molina, UU
Anders Manikoff, Herrljunga Elektriska
Thomas Erikson, Herrljunga Elektriska
Maja Sallander, Herrljunga kommun