China is the primary country on the earth to put in solar energy at an altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level and start full-scale operation.
PV Tech, a solar energy media outlet, recently reported that a solar energy project underway in Shannan District, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, is scheduled to be connected to the ability grid and alleviate the local power shortage problem.
The facility plant, installed at 5,228m above sea level, had a complete capability of 150 megawatts (MW) and was divided into stage 1 (50MW) and stage 2 (100MW). The solar energy plant accomplished this time is in two stages, and the primary stage was accomplished and began operation at the tip of last yr. The second phase began construction in August of this yr and installed roughly 170,000 panels and a battery storage system with a capability of 20MW.
China Electric Power Construction said, “Specifically, this time, by installing a double-sided module, not only has power generation efficiency increased by 20%, but we also can supply 80,000 kilowatts (KW) of power for 4 hours at night.”
The installation of high-altitude solar energy plants has been steadily progressing for a while.
In 2015, a solar roof was installed on the Mauna Kea Observatory at 4,207 meters above sea level. Solar energy installed at Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort in Colorado, USA, supplies 95% of the energy utilized in the constructing. As well as, the Jungfraujoch solar energy plant in Switzerland has been in operation since 1993 and has shown high energy production availability. The panels were replaced in 2014 and are still in use to at the present time.
High altitude sunlight has lower atmospheric density and fewer dust and pollutants, so sunlight can reach the world more powerfully. As well as, at altitudes above 2500m above sea level, more sunlight is received in winter, which might overcome seasonal declines in power generation. A study was also published showing that solar energy generation efficiency increases in areas with ice caps or numerous snow because of the ‘albedo effect’.
Nonetheless, experts indicate that installation costs increase because of the character of the high-altitude terrain, and there are still challenges to be solved, comparable to power grid connection and transportation issues.
Reporter Jaeseung Lee energy@aitimes.com
