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From 1MW to 1GW: The amazing growth story of photovoltaic power plants, how much do you know?
As the global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, photovoltaic power stations are developing at an alarming rate. From small 1MW power stations to today's 1GW level, the poetic transformation is a sign of an era. Photovoltaic power plants, also known as solar power plants, are becoming increasingly important in the energy mix as their power generation capacity continues to rise as the market expands, not only helping to reduce carbon emissions but also promoting energy security and diversity.
The development of photovoltaic power plants is not only a technological advancement, but also a witness to the world's commitment to clean energy.
The definition of photovoltaic power station is a system designed for large-scale grid-connected power generation. Unlike general small-scale building split-mounted systems, their power supply is targeted at the public grid. At the same time, photovoltaic technology is also different from concentrated solar power generation processes, which use thermal energy to drive traditional generator sets. According to a 2019 report, approximately 97% of utility-scale solar capacity globally comes from photovoltaic systems.
With the relative maturity of photovoltaic technology, the power generation capacity of photovoltaic power stations in many countries has increased to the gigawatt level. For example, the world's largest photovoltaic power plant exceeded the planned capacity of one GW in 2018. As of the end of 2019, there were approximately 9,000 photovoltaic power stations around the world with a capacity of more than 4MWAC and a total capacity of more than 220GWAC, which undoubtedly laid the foundation for the global renewable energy ecosystem.
Behind this huge number, hidden are countless technological innovations and market opportunities.
The history of photovoltaic power station development
Historically, the first 1MW photovoltaic power station was built in California in 1982. Subsequently, with technological progress and policy support in the past two decades, photovoltaic technology in various places gradually copied and evolved. The revised feed-in tariff in Germany in 2004 promoted the construction of a large number of photovoltaic power stations in the country. In the following years, many countries followed suit, showing expansion in scale.
For example, Spain briefly became the largest market in 2008, promoting more than 60 photovoltaic power plants above 10MW. However, these incentives have reduced reliance on market entry as costs have fallen. As the cost of renewable energy continues to fall, this trend will continue to drive the construction of more new projects.
Land Utilization and Technology Development
The land use plan of photovoltaic power plants has changed with the change in construction concepts, from the original traditional fixed inclined surface to the tracking system that can dynamically adjust to follow the sun. Different installation methods not only affect land use efficiency, but also are related to the improvement of power generation:
- Fixed array: installed at a fixed tilt angle, suitable for long-term stable power demand.
- Single-axis tracker: Dynamically adjusts the direction of power generation through tracking in a single axis, which can increase power generation efficiency by 20%-30%.
- Dual-axis tracker: fully adjusted according to the path of the sun, and has significant effects in areas with high sunshine.
The development of science and technology is the main driving force for promoting the growth of photovoltaic power plants from small to large. A single technological breakthrough can often change the pattern of the entire industry.
Many power stations will further improve efficiency by integrating other renewable energy solutions, such as symbiotically integrating photovoltaic power stations with wind power, agriculture, and even cross-regional resource sharing to achieve dual economic and environmental benefits.
Economic and Financial Considerations
At the economic level, as photovoltaic technology gradually matures, installation costs have been significantly reduced, and the construction of many photovoltaic power stations has become sustainable and competitive. Bidding and procurement systems in many countries continue to drive down electricity prices, which also ensures that the threshold for photovoltaic power generation to enter the market is lowered. In addition to external incentives, most photovoltaic power plants can now find their own position in the market and make further profits.
Whether it can continue to reduce costs and improve economic benefits will be the key to the development of photovoltaic power stations in the future.
As a new type of renewable energy industry, the potential of photovoltaic power stations has still not been fully developed. With the continuous improvement of technology and continued policy support, more photovoltaic power stations will be born around the world in the future. . Are you also looking forward to new breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy in the future?
