Solar PV Power Plant
A solar photovoltaic power plant is a regular power plant that converts solar energy into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. This effect occurs when sunlight photons bump into a specific material and displace an electron, which generates a direct current.
The acronym PV is commonly used to refer to photovoltaic’s.
A photovoltaic plant is made up of PV modules and an inverter. Photovoltaic panels are responsible for transforming solar radiation. In turn, the inverter converts direct current into alternating current with characteristics similar to the electrical grid.
A solar array is a collection of multiple solar panels that generate electricity as a system. In a solar array, all the electricity generated is injected into the electrical distribution network. In this way, the performance is better because all the energy generated is used.
The largest solar PV power plant in the world is the Bhadla Solar Park in India. It has an installed capacity of 2,245 MW. The total cost of the installation was 1200 million Euros.
Photovoltaic’s (PV) is renewable energy and clean energy because it does not generate polluting gases.
Type of Grid:
There are three types of Power Plant:
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On-Grid / Grid - Tie:
On-grid means your solar system is tied to your local utility's GRID. This is what most residential homes will use because you are covered if your solar system under or over-produces in regard to your varying energy needs. This entire means for you is that your utility system acts as your battery space.
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Off-Grid:
The off-grid solar system is a battery based, independent solar system that does not need a utility grid to illuminate your places. It is a complete solar setup with solar panels, solar battery, and solar inverter, and is ideal to lighten a home even in a far off location. This solar system is more prominent as it comes with a power backup.
Like every other solar system, an off-grid solar system uses a solar panel to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. In the day time solar will run the connected load and balance energy will be stored in the solar battery. So in the daytime, the solar system runs home appliances generating electricity using sunlight and stores the extra energy into the battery bank. And at night when there is no sunlight, the appliances draw energy from the battery to keep running. Hence, the system works day and night.
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Hybrid-Grid:
While choosing a solar system for home, institute, business or industry, people often choose either an on grid solar system or an off grid solar system. But now one more option is available in the market and that is “Hybrid Solar System”. This system is a combination of on grid solar system and off grid solar system. It has battery backup in it to store power and it also have the ability to feed surplus electricity into main grid.
A hybrid solar system will work day and night which means you always have electricity at your home. Hybrid system is a combination of solar energy storage with grid connection. This system provide the flexibility of being able to store the power into batteries that your solar system generated during the day time instead of feeding it back into electricity grid. The same energy can be used in the evening or night instead of buying from government grid at a higher price.
If system is producing more power than is being consumed and your batteries are fully charged, the surplus will be fed to the main electrical grid via solar net metering. At the time of electricity billing, the government or power provider company will adjust the exported units in your electricity bill.
Advantages:
Here are 7 benefits related to this renewable source of energy.
Impact on the Environment: Solar energy has the least negative impact on the environment compared to any other energy source. It does not produce greenhouse gases and does not pollute the water. It also requires very little water for its maintenance, unlike nuclear power plants for example, needing 20 times more water. Solar energy production does not create any noise, which is major benefit, since a lot of solar installations are in urban areas, such as domestic solar panels. It helps to create a Clean, Green & Healthy Environment by reducing Carbon Emissions & not producing polluted water, gas & other waste / scrabs while generating energy.
Reduce Your Energy Bill: Generating your own electricity means that you will be using less from the utility supplier. This will immediately translate to savings on your energy bill. Plus, you can also make money by selling the unused electricity, which you have generated, back to the grid. Through solar panel grants offered, you can make your green investment even more beneficial. The more energy you produce, the less you will need from the supplier which will increase your energy self reliance.
Energy Production during Peak Hours: Energy demand tends to be higher in the 11:00-16:00 time frame and then early in the evening. Naturally, this is the period when the price of the electricity peaks. Solar energy happens to reach its maximum production capacity during those hours. Electricity produced at that time has higher value than if it was generated at night. With the additional electricity input of solar energy, prices in those time frames could be driven down to a level close to those of night hours.
Solar Energy Is Applicable Everywhere: As long as there is sunshine, solar energy can be deployed anywhere. This is particularly useful for remote regions with no access to any other source of electricity. There is a vast amount of people around the world with no access to electricity. Independent solar systems could be deployed in those regions and improve the lives of millions of people. Moreover, solar energy is also used to power up spacecrafts and boats.
Less Electricity Lost During Long-Distance Transport: Generating your own electricity means that you will be using less from the utility supplier. This will immediately translate to savings on your energy bill. Plus, you can also make money by selling the unused electricity, which you have generated, back to the grid. Through solar panel grants offered, you can make your green investment even more beneficial. The more energy you produce, the less you will need from the supplier which will increase your energy self reliance.
Return On Investment: Other than reducing electric bill, solar power can also be a great source of income. Since Net Metering / Gross Metering / Open Access Trading is involved, you can earn money by selling the RE source generated power by trading it through various applicable & suitable schemes. The Return is High & Long Term up to 20-25 Years, Pay Back Period is 7-8 Years, Investment is safe & secured up to 12-15 years with Lock-In Period.
Job Creation: The are many advantages of solar energy, and another one is job creation. Large part of the cost associated with solar systems comes from the installation of the panels. This contributes to local job creation. Using solar systems boosts the economy and positively affects the local community.
Disadvantages:
Basically there are no such major disadvantages. Here are 3 disadvantages related to this renewable source of energy.
High Initial Cost: One of the disadvantages of solar power is that it comes with a high initial cost of purchase and installation. This includes procurement of space/land, planning, permission & approvals, EPC & AMC etc. The cost of solar energy systems varies depending on where you live as well as the incentives you are qualified for.
Intermittent Energy Source: Being an intermittent energy source is another drawback of solar energy. At night, the sun does not shine. So, the solar panels cannot generate power. Depending on your location, time of the day, and even time of the year, the sun’s intensity varies. The amount of energy produced is affected by factors like snow, cloud, and foliage cover.
Uses A Lot Of Space: If you want to produce electricity in large scale, then you will need more solar panels to collect more sunlight. Compared to fossil fuels, solar panels have low power density. A larger area for solar panels is needed for similar amounts of energy production. Bear in mind, this only takes into account your property. The amount of land fossil fuels use is not part of this measurement consideration, in which case there’s a huge advantage for solar panels in terms of saving space.