PV Gap

Andrew Said:

Question about solar energy plant?

We Answered:

Depends upon the city but you have to understand solar power like wind power is an intermittent power source and without a battery backup you cannot directly power anything!

Solar power is best suited for power needs off-the-grid where homes can be powered with 12 volt DC systems and back up batteries. Once you go to normal household Ac voltage 110 or 220 you have to put the power through a inverter which can rob up to 20% of your power. Using standard solar panel's it adds up to allot of panels!

As for cost solar power with one exception usually pencils out for around $2.35 per Kilowatt Hour. "To put it into proportion your average for a current domestic energy source is around 18 Cents per kilowatt hour.

Their is one exception to the standard panels and that is the reflected energy systems such are used at Kramer Junction in the California desert. These systems use reflected light to heat outlying to a gas turning turbines. At night they turn on their natural gas turbines to provide continuous power. The power from these systems produces energy for around 18 cents. and one plant around 200 acers would have no problem providing power for over 1,000 homes

Pedro Said:

How efficient is a plant at converting solar energy into chemical energy?

We Answered:

Between 3% and 6% is the generally accepted range
To compare - solar panels are between 6% and 18% efficient (commercial panels)

John H

Bob Said:

how much would it primarly cost to build a 70 megawatt solar energy plant.?

We Answered:

My company charges $10 a Watt for a solar electric system installed. So do the math on that one.
http://www.sunpowernation.com

Willard Said:

how much energy does a solar plant produce a day?

We Answered:

Insolation has been measured between the equator and the 45th parallel at 136 watts (power) per square meter in full sunlight under cloudless sky.

Common silicon solar cells operate at a maximum of 17 percent efficiency and the new multi layer full spectrum flexible cells are slightly more efficient.

A mile is roughly 1'600 meters (1'600 x 1'600 m for a square mile), I will let you work out the math. (136 x .17) x 1'600 sq ~

These are the numbers, but hybrid systems are always more efficient for practical use.