Since 1977 the U.S. National Photovoltaic Program has actively supported
the design, construction and operation of a variety of photovoltaic
power system applications classed as Intermediate size systems and
ranging in size from 15 kW to 1000 kW. To date fourteen systems have
been built and generally are operating as planned. One lOOkW application
project was terminated before the completion of the project due to
exhaustion of funds and too ambitious of a project. The fourteen
operating systems represented a total installed peak generating capacity
of 1,164 kW and have delivered nearly 2,000 MWH of energy. Under the
U.S. National Program two additional intermediate size photovoltaic
power plants are under construction and are expected to become
operational during 1984. These two plants represent a total of 1,300 kW
of peak generating capacity and should deliver over 1800 MWH of energy
per year. In addition the U.S. Photovoltaic Program has committed most
of the funding to support the design, procurement and construction of a
1000 kW photovoltaic plant. This .plant will be constructed and
installed during the 1984-1985 period. Current U. S. Program Plans do
not anticipate funding any further Intermediate size photovoltaic power
plants. In parallel with the government program, the private sector has
begun building and installing Intermediate (and larger) size
photovoltaic power systems. Over the past 21 months, the private sector
has installed four Intermediate size PV systems in the U.S.