The Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Power Plants

This article shows the environmental benefits of renewable energy and particularly solar energy. Given the trend of introducing new solar power capacities in the world, the necessity of the energy efficiency evaluation of photovoltaic power plants is substantiated. The components of bound energy in the structure of PVPP energy payback are considered. It is shown that the main issues in the balance of bound energy are the primary energy costs on the technological processes for the production of solar gradation silicon and manufacture of solar cells. The latest technology of manufacturing thin-film photovoltaic converters reduces their production costs. The results of the calculation of the average annual electricity generation at PVPP under conditions of South Urals are adduced. Advantages of solar energy compared to fuel include environmental parameters, energy efficiency and payback of photovoltaic power plants.