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Topaz Solar Farm

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by SageBrush, Nov 29, 2014.

  1. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Topaz Solar Farm | First Solar


    Huge Solar farm, 9 Million panels.
    I'm confused by the capacity though, said to be 550 MW. By my arithmetic that works out to 60 watts a panel. That cannot be right, can it ?

    I'm also surprised by the $2.5B cost, which at 550 MW is ~ $4.5 a watt. Seems much higher than I thought large scale farms cost these days, but perhaps it reflects the cost of infrastructure to reach distant sites.

    Addendum:
    This movie shows workers easily carrying a panel that looks about 1.5x2.5 feet, so 60 watts a panel is right. Tight rows that let a person pass but narrow for vehicles. Makes sense for packaging the farm in a 'small' space, but all the more impressive they were able to build so quickly with manual labor. Works out to some 7000 panels installed a day.
     
    #1 SageBrush, Nov 29, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2014
  2. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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    Your solar math is correct. They are thin film CdTe based panels rated at 70 to 102 watts depending on model. $2.5 Billion or bust. The cost of building the infrastructure to connect to the Grid from remote locations is where any savings is lost. 100 workers @ 70 panels per day each not to strenuous but monotonous I'll bet.
     
    #2 JamesBurke, Nov 29, 2014
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at least everything will be in place for the next go around when the panels are replaced with much more efficient ones.
     
    #3 bisco, Nov 29, 2014
  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Very good point. It might also be true from looking at maps that other farms can piggy-back on to the infrastructure.

    I keep hoping that the government will spend taxpayer funds on infrastructure and not Chevy Volts. The downstream effects from profit based market activity would be tremendous.
     
    #4 SageBrush, Nov 29, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we're getting a few around here, but there's a lot of nimby. most people prefer their nuclear plant off in the distance. out of site, out of mind.
     
    #5 bisco, Nov 29, 2014
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