Are solar photovoltaic power plants the future of power generation?

Although it currently represents a small percentage of global power generation, installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants are growing rapidly for both utility-scale and distributed power generation applications.

Is solar PV a competitive source of new power generation capacity?

Solar PV is emerging as one of the most competitive sources of new power generation capacity after a decade of dramatic cost declines. A decline of 74% in total installed costs was observed between 2010 and 2018 (Figure 10).

Are solar PV power plants a good investment?

Solar PV power plants represent a large financial investment. The PV modules are not only valuable, but also portable. There have been many instances of module theft and also theft of copper cabling. Security solutions are required to reduce the risk of theft and tampering.

How is the solar PV industry changing?

The solar PV industry is changing rapidly, with innovations occurring along the entire value chain. In recent years, a major driver for innovation has been the push for higher efficiency (Green, 2019).

How has the growth in PV markets impacted the power industry?

The exponential growth seen in PV markets has led to the development of large-scale power plants, which has increased demands for better tools for inspection and monitoring.

Will solar PV be a major power source by 2050?

By 2050 solar PV would represent the second-largest power generation source, just behind wind power and lead the way for the transformation of the global electricity sector. Solar PV would generate a quarter (25%) of total electricity needs globally, becoming one of prominent generations source by 2050.