Hourly comparison of numerical weather prediction solar irradiance forecasts in Italy using WRF Solar mesoscale model, ground based stations and satellite products

Solar power generation is highly variable due to its dependence on meteorological conditions. The integration of this fluctuating resource into the energy supply system requires reliable forecasts of the expected power production as a basis for management and operation strategies. This is one of the aims of the Solar Cloud project (funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development): to provide detailed forecasts of solar irradiance variables to operators and organizations operating in the solar industry.