In general terms, we’ve known for a while that the current condition of the grid would be a limiting factor in the growth of renewable energy. But now, as utilities are introducing significant new programs to meet state Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), the reality of grid limitation is quickly coming into focus, in a very visible way.
For instance, grid limitations on Hawaii’s most populous island, Oahu, mean that no solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be more than 100 kW, and renewable energy capacity is restricted to 10 MW for the entire island. To put this in perspective, the total yearly revenue possible from 10 MW of solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) would be roughly equivalent to the annual sales volume of a single grocery store.
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