1、 Significant advantages of photovoltaic power generation
The most prominent advantage of photovoltaic power generation lies in its clean and environmentally friendly characteristics. Compared with traditional fossil fuels, the photovoltaic power generation process does not produce greenhouse gases and pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, and has zero pollution to the environment. A 10MW photovoltaic power station can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 10000 tons per year, equivalent to planting 500000 trees.
In terms of economic benefits, photovoltaic power generation has significant advantages. Although the initial investment is large, the operation and maintenance costs are extremely low, and solar energy is inexhaustible. With the advancement of technology, the cost of photovoltaic power generation continues to decline, and parity grid connection has been achieved in multiple countries and regions. Taking China as an example, the cost of photovoltaic power generation has decreased from 2 yuan/kWh in 2010 to below 0.3 yuan/kWh in 2023.
The installation flexibility of photovoltaic systems is strong, which can be used to construct large-scale ground power stations and install distributed systems in spaces such as building roofs and walls. This flexibility enables it to adapt to different scenario needs, from remote mountainous areas to urban buildings, effectively utilizing solar energy resources.
2、 The practical challenges of photovoltaic power generation
The biggest challenge facing photovoltaic power generation is low energy density and intermittency issues. Solar radiation intensity is limited and requires a large area to collect sufficient energy. At the same time, the power generation is significantly affected by weather and day and night, with obvious fluctuations and uncertainties.
At the technical level, there is still room for improvement in the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic power generation. At present, the laboratory efficiency of mainstream crystalline silicon batteries is about 26%, and the mass production efficiency is between 22-24%, with significant room for improvement. In addition, energy storage technology is not yet fully mature, which restricts the large-scale application of photovoltaic power generation.
In terms of environmental impact, the construction of photovoltaic power stations may change land use patterns and have a certain impact on the ecosystem. The recycling and disposal of photovoltaic modules is also an unresolved issue that requires the establishment of a comprehensive recycling system.
3、 The Future Development of Photovoltaic Power Generation
Technological innovation is the key to promoting the development of photovoltaic power generation. New battery technologies such as perovskite cells and stacked cells continue to emerge, and the conversion efficiency continues to improve. The development of smart grid technology has also improved the grid connected consumption capacity of photovoltaic power generation.
Policy support is crucial for the development of the photovoltaic industry. Various countries encourage the application of photovoltaics through subsidies, tax incentives, and other policies, promoting the continuous expansion of the market size. In 2022, the global installed capacity of photovoltaics reached a historic high of 230GW.
Photovoltaic power generation is changing the global energy landscape. It is expected that by 2030, photovoltaic power generation will account for over 20% of global electricity generation and become one of the main energy sources. With technological advancements and cost reductions, photovoltaic power generation will play a greater role in the energy transition.
As an important representative of clean energy, photovoltaic power generation has both obvious advantages and disadvantages. Under the dual challenges of addressing climate change and energy security, the development prospects of photovoltaic power generation are broad. Through continuous technological innovation and policy support, overcoming existing bottlenecks, photovoltaic power generation will undoubtedly make greater contributions to sustainable human development. In the future, photovoltaic power generation will develop in synergy with other clean energy sources, jointly building a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system.