Requirements definition and preliminary design of a photovoltaic central station test facility

Bechtel National, Inc. has conducted a study of the requirements for, and a preliminary design of, a photovoltaic central station test facility. This facility would be the first such facility dedicated to large-scale testing of photovoltaic array systems in a utility environment. The proposed initial capacity is 1 to 2 MW with capability for expansion up to 10 MW. The study included the development of the facility requirements, the facility preliminary design, design review by several electric utilities, cost estimates, preliminary environmental report and development of a site selection methodology.