NISE and GRID-INDIA sign MoU on solar power forecasting

National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly undertake a research project on day ahead and intra day solar power forecasting for large solar parks in India. The initiative focuses on improving short term generation estimates to support grid operations and market scheduling.

Under the MoU, the two institutions will develop a hybrid solar forecasting framework that combines numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, satellite data, and real time inputs from All Sky Imagers (ASI). The system will generate high frequency probabilistic forecasts, including P50 and P90 estimates, for time horizons ranging from a few minutes to 48 hours.

The forecasts are expected to improve short term predictability of solar generation and help reduce risks under the Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM). The framework will be tested and validated through real time deployment at large utility scale solar parks across the country.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Mohammad Rihan, Director General, NISE, and Shri Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Executive Director, National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC), in the presence of Shri Samir Chandra Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director, GRID-INDIA. Senior officials from both organisations were also present at the signing.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with renewable energy developers including Adani Green Energy Limited, NTPC Green Energy Limited, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, ReNew, and Serentica Renewables. These companies will provide access to operational solar parks for testing and validation of the forecasting system.

According to the institutions, the initiative aims to strengthen indigenous forecasting capabilities and support the reliable integration of large scale solar power into the national grid, in line with India’s expanding renewable energy capacity.