Hourly photovoltaics power output prediction for Malaysia using support vector regression

Reliable solar energy forecasting enables grid operators to manage the grid better as PV penetration level increases. This research explores the use of support vector regression to forecast hourly power output from a grid-connected PV system in Malaysia. Data is obtained from a grid-connected PV system that is equipped with a weather monitoring station. Three parameters are used as input to the forecast model; global irradiance, tilted irradiance and ambient temperature. Results were compared against a persistence model. The SVR model manages to forecast hourly power production with satisfactory accuracy