3 ms·
An old solar farm is invaluable, because it means you have already got all the administrative authorisations to operate (that can take years in Europe), and als
by KolmogorovComp 3y ago
An old solar farm is invaluable, because it means you have already got all the administrative authorisations to operate (that can take years in Europe), and also already connected to the grid, with the infrastructure around to maintain the farm (clean/fix panels, security, etc.).
- TylerE 3y agoIsn’t that an even stronger argument for upgrading an existing plant in situ versus spinning a new one up?
- tomek_ycomb 3y agoI think it's an argument for adding just the number you need to compensate for the power loses Otoh I think people are forgetting there's a point where the maintenance gets to be more
- dorfsmay 3y agoGiven that over 40 years they changed everything but the panels themselves, what maintenance?
- TylerE 3y agoPresumably "infrastructure around to maintain the farm" has some costs. Land. Property tax. inspections. That sort of thing...
- konschubert 3y agoOld plants were often designed such that at peak production, they would saturate the grid connection. If you re-power that plant with more efficient panels, your production will sometimes be capped by the grid connection. But it’s fine because you will have significantly higher production in the morning and evening hours. This can make financial sense. I hope they put the used panels on the second hand market, such that users with different economics ( home installs, countries with lower labour and land costs) can buy and use them.