Hello, solar enthusiasts! I hope this blog finds you in bright spirits with a sunny disposition. Today I will be shedding more light on an important aspect of our favorite topic – solar power. It’s about the time it takes to get a project from concept to operation. More specifically, I’m casting my spotlight on a comprehensive research carried out by scientists in Switzerland, who analyzed completion times of thousands of renewable energy projects worldwide.
The researchers dived deep into the commissioning timelines of 12,475 renewable energy projects, spanning from 2005 to 2022. These projects spread across a broad spectrum of clean energy technologies including PV (photovoltaic), wind, biomass, and run-off-river hydropower and were implemented in 48 countries, both from the OECD and non-OECD groups.
One fact stood out from the rest: the timeline for deploying utility scale solar panels for your home or for any other application has actually increased from 2015 to 2022. This may come as a surprise to many, given our shared perception of solar as a swift and easy solution among renewable energy technologies.
Delving further into the research findings, the scientists underscored the influence of the developer’s experience on project completion timelines. According to this study, the experience of developers or solar companies in deploying solar arrays for homes or larger facilities significantly influences the time it takes to complete the project. On the flipside, the size of the project was found to have an “insignificant” impact on completion times. Now, that’s food for thought when considering solar companies for your home project.
But here’s a glimmering ray of hope amidst the data: notwithstanding the increasing completion timelines, PV (solar technology) still remains the fastest technology to commission among that clean energy mix. So, if you’re impatient to see your home turning solar, think solar panels for your home – they could be your quickest ride to a greener future!
The study also nudged into the larger contextual elements affecting the project timelines. Fluctuations like currency devaluation, GDP contraction, and global phenomena like the COVID-19 crisis were found to have significant effects on the project completion times.
So what does this mean for you as someone looking to involve a solar company for your home project? While this news might cast a temporary cloud, remember that the increasing timelines speak to the growing popularity and complexity of deploying solar technology. And yet, solar continues to outshine other forms of renewable technology in terms of speed of commissioning.
In a bright world buzzing with accelerating solar adoption, it’s crucial to stay informed and make smart decisions when choosing a solar company or deciding on the size of your solar array for home.
Stay sun-kissed and keep shining! There’s more enlightening content coming your way very soon. Until next time!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/30/pv-commissioning-times-up-by-6-months-over-past-20-years-claim-scientists/
