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The secret of photovoltaic cells: Why have they become the technology of choice for large-scale electricity generation?
With the continuous increase in global energy demand, finding sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources has become an important task at present. Among these options, photovoltaic cell technology stands out as the preferred technology for large-scale power generation. From large-scale solar power stations to individual home installations, photovoltaic cells provide an efficient way to convert sunlight into electricity, and as the technology matures and costs decrease, the scope of applications for photovoltaic cells continues to expand.
The biggest advantage of photovoltaic cells lies in their stable power generation capacity and low operating costs, which give them a strong competitive advantage in the market.
Photovoltaics (PV) systems work by converting sunlight directly into electricity. According to data, by the end of 2019, about 97% of utility-scale solar production capacity was photovoltaic cells, a proportion that shows the widespread application of photovoltaic technology.
From a technical perspective, photovoltaic cells have a long history of development. Since the first 1 MWp photovoltaic power station was built in California in 1982, photovoltaic cell facilities around the world have developed rapidly as demand has increased. By 2018, the world's largest photovoltaic power plant capacity exceeded 1 GW. Such large-scale construction undoubtedly demonstrates the market's confidence in photovoltaic technology.
With rapid technological advances, the cost of installing photovoltaic cells has dropped dramatically and is beginning to reach electricity parity in many markets.
The site selection and land use requirements for photovoltaic power plants depend on many factors, including the efficiency of solar panels, terrain, and installation methods. In tropical regions, for example, a fixed solar array requires about 1 hectare of land to generate 1 MW of electricity, while in Northern Europe it may require more than 2 hectares of land. This forces developers to carefully consider the value of the land and its impact on the ecology when choosing a location.
With the introduction of the concept of "agrivoltaics", many photovoltaic power stations have begun to be used for agricultural purposes at the same time, combining power generation and crop planting on the same piece of land. Research shows that such a model can increase economic value by more than 30%. So, this new technology has undoubtedly triggered innovative thinking in agriculture and energy production.
Of course, in addition to ground-based facilities, the potential of photovoltaic cells even extends to space. In early 2024, a space photovoltaic power station successfully completed testing, which not only heralds the sustainability of future energy, but also provides a new source of energy for human space exploration.
With the continuous development of solar energy technology, we are witnessing an energy revolution not only on the ground but also in the universe.
From a business perspective, the growth of the solar energy market is primarily driven by the adoption of photovoltaic cells. Most PV plants are actually owned by independent power producers, who typically work with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors to make the project design and construction process more efficient. After several stages of planning and approval, the photovoltaic power station was successfully put into operation and played a role in the power grid.
As more countries participate in solar energy investment and development, photovoltaic technology is becoming increasingly competitive. As electricity prices have gradually stabilized, photovoltaic power plants have been able to be competitive in the electricity market without relying on external subsidies.
This change not only reflects technological progress, but also highlights the unlimited future potential of renewable energy. Moreover, as countries commit to reducing carbon emissions, the future development prospects of the solar energy industry remain broad. With so many advantages concentrated in one technology, one cannot help but wonder: as technology continues to evolve, can photovoltaic cells become the main source of energy for the earth in the future?
