Although solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are environmentally friendly, policy makers and power system operators have concerns regarding the high penetration of these systems due to potential impacts of solar power intermittency on power systems. Understanding the nature of this intermittency is important to make informed decisions regarding solar power plants, size and location, transmission and distribution systems planning, as well as thermal generation units and electricity markets operations. This article presents a review of solar PV power characteristics and its impacts on power system operation.