Why install PV at a power plant?
Because it makes sound financial sense. As the energy industry moves from the monopoly, no-risk financial environment of the past toward more competition, financial risks to energy suppliers become a concern. The fuel-free, modular attributes of PV play a key role here. Because PV uses no fuel, there’s no uncertainty about rising and fluctuating fuel prices. In addition, clean renewable energy technologies like PV tend to have minimal costs associated with complying with legislation that protects the environment. PV’s modularity also figures in—power plants that are built as a series of modules tie up less capital for a shorter period of time when the plant is under construction. A modular plant can begin operating as soon as each module is completed, producing revenue sooner than nonmodular plants. And a failure in a modular plant affects only a portion of the plant; a failure in a nonmodular plant can shut down the entire operation. Finally, modular plants can be moved to areas of hi
