Submitted by CurseMeKilt t3_1151zwi in UpliftingNews
sault18 t1_j92sfe7 wrote
Reply to comment by toesy in Over 25 GW of solar is actively being constructed in the U.S. by CurseMeKilt
Nope, 25 GW.
toesy t1_j92zkun wrote
The average capacity factor for solar is ~25%, this means that if you have a solar system of 100 GW it’s only producing 25% of its peak capacity. Another point is that the 100 GW quoted is likely dc, meaning it’s going to lose about 10% being converted to ac to be put onto the grid.
sault18 t1_j937pd0 wrote
Tell me you don't know what capacity factor means without telling me you don't know what capacity factor means.
toesy t1_j939bjs wrote
Explain how I’m wrong instead of postulating that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
toesy t1_j93aa1z wrote
I can make it easy for you.
100 GW 8 hours sunlight
So you’ve generated 800GWh out of a possible 2400 GWh
This would be 33% capacity
Given that you are only generating peak capacity for a limited amount of time and other factors like clouds you aren’t generating 100 GW for those 8 hours.
So a more realistic number is 600 GWh, meaning a 25% capacity factor.
This would be the equivalent of having a 25 GW base load asset running at 100% capacity factor
sault18 t1_j93g4rj wrote
Dude, OP was quoting instantaneous power, not energy. That's why they were wrong.
toesy t1_j93hye8 wrote
Electricity is needed 24 hours a day, 25 GW of solar is not providing 25 GW of continuous electricity to the grid for 24 hours.
Therefore 25 GW of solar puts the same amount of electrons to the grid as 6.25 GW of base load.
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