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This paper summarises the design of an anonymous solar forecast trial conducted over a period of 6 months across the USA in 2016. The trial evaluated the performance of 13 commercial vendor forecasts, benchmarked against a baseline forecast, to determine the state of the art of solar power forecasting, their performance in an operational setting and to determine the range of performance from commercial vendors. The results from the third party hosted trial highlight the improving accuracy of solar power forecasts with respect to a similar previous trial and demonstrate multiple metrics for forecast evaluation. The paper concludes with lessons learned and recommendations for future forecast trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the main outcomes from a multi-site solar forecasting trial which took place over the course of 6 months in 2014. The forecast trial was conducted in order to better understand the capability of commercial forecast vendors to accurately forecast solar plant production and, as a result, determine the potential value of solar forecasting to utility operations. With the participation of multiple forecast vendors, a wide ranging assessment of forecast accuracy was possible using multiple metrics and compound metrics. The results showed a range of performance between the forecasters and conditions. The paper also covers critical aspects of trial design which were necessary to conduct the assessment in a fair and accurate manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]