System Options

"Screen 1 offers a choice of four utility scale scenarios and allows the user to state capital cost assumptions, supplement the intermittency of solar with gas or coal plant additions, and specify power grid characteristics.

Policy & Technology ...

"Policy options such as carbon pricing and investment tax credits are addressed on screen 2, alongside power plant choices and an opportunity for solar developers to specific custom technology characteristics.

Siting Analysis

"Screen 3 uses GIS mapping to identify solar-feasible areas, highlighting descriptors for each site and potential constraints. Relaxing some GIS filters can significantly increase the emergence of solar-feasible areas.

Transmission Grid

"The entire Western Region power grid is mapped on screen 4 using PowerWorld, to visually portray the impact of energy choices upon transmission.

Economic Costs

"Screen 5 assesses the economic cost implications, including the levelized cost of delivery per MWh for 17 energy sources and a through-time levelized cost estimate for 11 types of renewable and non-renewable energy.

Environmental Impacts

"The environmental consequences of increased solar generation deployment are illustrated on screen 6, identifying trade-offs between energy cost and environmental consequences.

Summary Screen

"The final screen summarizes the locational choices made within each scenario, the maximum possible contribution of solar to the energy mix, and the trade-off between pricing and environmental effects.