photovoltaic, definition of

Capacity factor is a ratio (usually expressed as a percentage) of power actually generated by an installed wind turbine compared to its theoretical maximum power output.

This is important as the available wind varies considerably by location and you want to pick a location that ensures maximum utilization. Although typically the maximum capacity factor achieved in practice is around 30%. This can be compared to the typical capacity factors of 15% for solar and nuclear which ranges in 60 to 100%. Base load thermal power plants (i.e. fire fired) often achieve 70 to 90%.

When capacity factor is combined with cost of production you get the effective cost of power production for a given energy producing technology; i.e. cost divided by capacity factor. This figure you can use as a basis for a ROI (Return on Investment) comparison.

• Solar Power - the facts about setting up Solar Power
  Solar Power systems installed at the home or office can reduce environmental impact. How solar panel systems work is described and how you and the environment benefit.

• Pianca redesigns Calatea Green chair for the circular economy
  To celebrate the inauguration of Green Pea, Italy’s first dedicated green retail park, Cristina Celestina of Pianca recently presented Calatea Green, a chair that follows a circular economy model...
• Solar power prices expected to drop further this year
  The price of solar energy could further fall this year, experts say. A Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) analysis published by PV Magazine predicted a 34 percent drop in the price of multicrystalline solar modules in China, an event expected to influence...
• NREL's solar-powered window breaks new ground with 11% efficiency
  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has revealed its prototype of a solar-powered "smart window," which has broken new ground by achieving 11 percent efficiency, enough to potentially provide 80 percent of electricity needs in the United States...
• New waterproof solar cell generates power even after it gets soaked
  A new solar cell could go through the laundry and emerge still working. The photovoltaic cell, developed by Japanese research institution RIKEN and the University of Tokyo, is ultra thin and coated on both sides with waterproof film. The solar cell can...
• Tesla begins production of solar roof tiles in Buffalo, New York
  It’s official! Tesla has started producing solar roof tiles at its factory in Buffalo, New York. Several hundred employees and machines have been installed in the 1.2 million-square-foot factory, and they are now creating tiles that can harness the...
• New stacked solar cell absorbs energy from almost the entire solar spectrum
  Most traditional solar cells aren't able to convert long-wavelength photons into electricity. A team of researchers led by Matthew Lumb at The George Washington University is hoping to change that in order to capture more power. They've designed a solar...
• Zero-carbon Nanjing Green Lighthouse is a beacon for sustainable design in China
  The 5,500-square-meter Nanjing Green Lighthouse takes on a spiral form and is centered on a light-filled atrium that funnels natural light and fresh air to all floors...
• New graphene solar panels turn rain into clean energy
  Solar power has the potential to generate about 40 per cent of America's energy, yet the technology still has limitations. One is weather. Clouds and rain diminish solar cell efficiency, a problem for cities more overcast than sunny. However, a team of...
• How graphene on solar panels turns rain into clean energy
  Solar power has the potential to generate about 40 per cent of America's energy, yet the technology still has limitations. One is weather. Clouds and rain diminish solar cell efficiency, a problem for cities more overcast than sunny. However, a team of...
• Solar energy rolls out like a carpet with groundbreaking Roll-Array photovoltaics
  https://vimeo.com/145871430 The Roll-Array is easily towable by a standard 4x4 vehicle, such as a Land Rover. When connected to the back of the car, the flexible solar panels are pulled out of a spool and create ground cover in the matter of minutes....

Related Tags: solar power, solar