Locus Energy to Launch Solar Forecasting Service- a Cutting Edge Tool for Grid Management and Power Planning

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Locus Energy is preparing to launch a solar forecasting service based on its industry-leading Virtual Irradiance product. A beta preview of the new technology will be shown at the upcoming Solar Power International 2012 conference in Orlando, Florida.

The forecasting service will be released initially as a short-term (0-6 hours) forecast tool capable of predicting solar irradiance and power across an entire install base or geographic region. Building on the latest research in artificial intelligence and remote sensing, the service projects cloud motion by applying patent-pending computer vision algorithms to real-time satellite imagery in order to forecast solar irradiance and power. The solar forecasting service leverages Virtual Irradiance and builds upon the existing historical and real-time irradiance and power modeling features currently available through Locus Energy's SolarOS™ platform. In an industry first, Virtual Irradiance solar forecasts will be continuously validated and refined in real-time using data from Locus Energy's extensive network of monitored solar installations and sensors

As solar penetration continues to rise across North America, the impact of volatile solar power generation upon grid stability increases and it introduces new challenges in operating the grid. Locus Energy's CTO, Dr. Shawn Kerrigan, notes that "solar forecasting can provide insights into how incoming weather patterns will impact solar power generation, allowing grid operators to adapt and optimally plan non-solar power generation." High-quality, verifiable solar forecasts provide utilities and ISOs with a valuable tool to efficiently manage the integration of solar generation into the electric grid.

Solar forecasting with Virtual Irradiance is scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2013 and be offered both as a stand-alone data service and an add-on for all users of Locus Energy's SolarOS™ monitoring platform. Please visit www.locusenergy.com for more information or visit us at booth #3770 at SPI '12 for a demonstration. SPI attendees can also hear Dr. Kerrigan discuss forecasting technology as a panelist at the "Accuracy of Solar Modeling and Forecasting" conference session on Tuesday, September 11.

About Locus Energy

Locus Energy develops web-based asset management software for renewable energy systems.  We provide monitoring, analytics and data services for deployments of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technology. By leveraging Locus' products, renewable finance companies and integrators can drive down the cost and complexity of energy monitoring while making it much easier to maintain and service an installed client base. Founded in 2007, Locus has offices in New York and San Francisco, and monitors over ten thousand PV arrays worldwide.

CONTACT: Adrian De Luca, 212-500-2097, [email protected]

SOURCE Locus Energy