Third Solar Generation Index 2011 to 2022 as produced by kWh Analytics

The above results and industry-wide underperformance should not come as a surprise. They are dictated by the “Laws of Physics”. The data were based on a sizable 11 GWdc from more than 500 sites and 2,000 operating-years. Solar panels interconnected via ‘In Series’ electrical configurations are simply a recipe for underperformance.

Once several hundred or several thousand solar panels are connected ‘in series’, all panels are driven to the lowest common denominator due to shared voltage, i.e., the same as the very worst performing solar panel in the series. It is numerically impossible for all these panels to perform equally well over time. Population variance from the observed mean can only increase with the passage of time. Slight to important levels of underperformance &/or catastrophic faults are instantaneously shared by all.

Only ‘In parallel’ wiring and can resolve this issue. This brings with it extra costs. Yet, these are necessary for the solar sector to more meaningfully compete for the provision of a greater portion of electricity fed into national grids. Multi-Module Micro-Inverters facilitate this change of practice at a more affordable price point than their single-module cousins. A few manufacturers now produce devices capable of handling between 2 and 8 high-powered solar panels in parallel, while the associated micro-inverter redundancy can help deliver improved operational resilience and systems durability.

The Third Solar Generation Index 2022 (SOLAR GENERATION iNDEX 2022.FINAL.pdf) was prefaced by kWh Analytics as follows: “Solar assets will need to exhibit financial health and stability in order to achieve sustainable growth and secure access to necessary capital investment”.?

The same report concluded: “The results are clear, solar assets are not meeting performance expectations.

As the delta between actual and expected generation (and revenue) continues to grow, underperformance risk is jeopardizing investors’ returns and the industry’s ability to achieve sustainable growth”.

#mlpe?;?#esg?;?#GREEN?;?#solar?;?#energytransition?;?#solarpv?;?#renewables?;?#sustainability?;?#electricity?;?#climatechange?;?#Energy?;?#globalwarming?;?#climatech?;?#renewableenergy