A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output

Abstract With climate change driving the global push toward sustainable energy, the reliability of power systems increasingly depends on accurate forecasting methods. This study examined the role of machine learning (ML) in forecasting solar PV power output (SPVPO) and wind turbine power output (WTP...

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Main Authors: Ian B. Benitez, Jai Govind Singh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Electrical Systems and Information Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43067-025-00239-4
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author Ian B. Benitez
Jai Govind Singh
author_facet Ian B. Benitez
Jai Govind Singh
author_sort Ian B. Benitez
collection DOAJ
description Abstract With climate change driving the global push toward sustainable energy, the reliability of power systems increasingly depends on accurate forecasting methods. This study examined the role of machine learning (ML) in forecasting solar PV power output (SPVPO) and wind turbine power output (WTPO) and identified the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of these renewable energy sources. This study examined the current techniques, challenges, and future directions in ML-based forecasting of SPVPO and WTPO and proposed a standardized framework. Using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests, the results highlight the significant impact of key meteorological and operational variables on enhancing forecasting accuracy, as measured by MAPE and R-squared. Key features for SPVPO forecasting include solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and prior SPVPO, while wind speed, turbine speed, and prior wind power output are crucial for WTPO forecasting. Moreover, ensemble models, support vector machines, Gaussian processes, hybrid artificial neural networks, and decomposition-based hybrid models exhibit promising forecasting accuracy and reliability. Challenges such as data availability, complexity-interpretability trade-offs, and integration difficulties with energy management systems present opportunities for innovative solutions. These include exploring advanced data processing and calibration techniques, leveraging Big Data and IoT advancements, formulating advanced machine learning (ML) techniques, and employing probabilistic approaches with desirable accuracy and robustness in forecasting solar photovoltaic power output (SPVPO) and wind turbine power output (WTPO). Additionally, expanding research to ensure model generalizability across diverse climate conditions and forecasting horizons is crucial for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy forecasting using machine learning techniques.
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spelling doaj-art-a34778a033bf481293c6054eae93c17d2025-08-20T03:42:37ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Electrical Systems and Information Technology2314-71722025-07-0112113510.1186/s43067-025-00239-4A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power outputIan B. Benitez0Jai Govind Singh1Department of Energy and Climate Change, Asian Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Energy and Climate Change, Asian Institute of TechnologyAbstract With climate change driving the global push toward sustainable energy, the reliability of power systems increasingly depends on accurate forecasting methods. This study examined the role of machine learning (ML) in forecasting solar PV power output (SPVPO) and wind turbine power output (WTPO) and identified the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of these renewable energy sources. This study examined the current techniques, challenges, and future directions in ML-based forecasting of SPVPO and WTPO and proposed a standardized framework. Using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests, the results highlight the significant impact of key meteorological and operational variables on enhancing forecasting accuracy, as measured by MAPE and R-squared. Key features for SPVPO forecasting include solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and prior SPVPO, while wind speed, turbine speed, and prior wind power output are crucial for WTPO forecasting. Moreover, ensemble models, support vector machines, Gaussian processes, hybrid artificial neural networks, and decomposition-based hybrid models exhibit promising forecasting accuracy and reliability. Challenges such as data availability, complexity-interpretability trade-offs, and integration difficulties with energy management systems present opportunities for innovative solutions. These include exploring advanced data processing and calibration techniques, leveraging Big Data and IoT advancements, formulating advanced machine learning (ML) techniques, and employing probabilistic approaches with desirable accuracy and robustness in forecasting solar photovoltaic power output (SPVPO) and wind turbine power output (WTPO). Additionally, expanding research to ensure model generalizability across diverse climate conditions and forecasting horizons is crucial for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy forecasting using machine learning techniques.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43067-025-00239-4Solar PV power output forecastingWind turbine power output forecastingForecastingCore principles and forecasting accuracyMachine learning-based forecasting techniquesSolar and energy forecasting models
spellingShingle Ian B. Benitez
Jai Govind Singh
A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output
Journal of Electrical Systems and Information Technology
Solar PV power output forecasting
Wind turbine power output forecasting
Forecasting
Core principles and forecasting accuracy
Machine learning-based forecasting techniques
Solar and energy forecasting models
title A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output
title_full A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output
title_fullStr A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output
title_full_unstemmed A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output
title_short A comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar PV and wind turbine power output
title_sort comprehensive review of machine learning applications in forecasting solar pv and wind turbine power output
topic Solar PV power output forecasting
Wind turbine power output forecasting
Forecasting
Core principles and forecasting accuracy
Machine learning-based forecasting techniques
Solar and energy forecasting models
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43067-025-00239-4
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