Main benefit of large-scale photovoltaic arrays

Do solar photovoltaic energy benefits outweigh the costs?

This article appears in the Spring 2020 issue of Energy Futures, the magazine of the MIT Energy Initiative. Benefits of solar photovoltaic energy generation outweigh the costs, according to new research from the MIT Energy Initiative.

What is a solar array & why is it important?

The solar array is the most important part of a solar panel system – it holds all the panels in your system, collects sunlight, and converts it into electricity. In this article, we'll share some common questions to ask yourself before installing a solar panel system on your home and ensure you get the most productive array possible.

What are the benefits of a large solar plant?

For example, larger plants require less land per unit of energy produced, as the same amount of energy can be generated with fewer solar panels. This also means that larger plants require less maintenance and fewer personnel, which can further reduce costs.

Are utility-scale photovoltaic arrays an economic investment?

Utility-scale photovoltaic arrays are an economic investment across most of the United States when health and climate benefits are taken into account, concludes an analysis by MITEI postdoc Patrick Brown and Senior Lecturer Francis O’Sullivan.

What is a solar array?

A solar array is a collection of multiple solar panels that generate electricity. When an installer talks about solar arrays, they typically describe the solar panels themselves and how they're situated – aka the entire solar photovoltaic, or PV system. To create solar energy, sunlight must hit your panels' photovoltaic cells.

Why should you choose a larger solar energy plant?

Apart from the reduced cost per unit of energy generated, solar energy plants that are larger can also reap various other advantages due to the economies of scale they offer. For example, larger plants require less land per unit of energy produced, as the same amount of energy can be generated with fewer solar panels.