Wiki-Solar

Wiki-Solar is an information resource about large scale photovoltaic power stations around the world.[1]

It has an online database[2] of over 10,000 operating and planned utility-scale solar generating stations. Many of the larger stations are shown on a global mapping system.[3][4]

The Wiki-Solar resource is linked to a book on the same topic.[5][6]

Database of solar generation assets

The core database holds information about known photovoltaic generating projects. It records the project name, location, generating capacity and site area. It also stores key design data such as the projected annual output and carbon emission savings.

The database also records, where known, the key project participants; namely the owner, the developer, the EPC contractor, the solar module and inverter suppliers and the utility to which the electrical output is delivered.

This database enables the extraction of global data on deployment of utility-scale solar generation, used by many industry authorities.[7][8][9] Most of the projects in the List of photovoltaic power stations are shown in the database and on the mapping.

Definition of utility-scale solar power

Projects are included in the database where they meet the definition for 'utility-scale solar'. The debate on this definition was initiated by the Berkeley Energy and Resources Cooperative.[10] Wiki-Solar concluded that it would set the threshold to include all systems above 4MW AC.[11][12][13]

Basis of capacity data

This information resource has now standardized on quoting capacity figures in MWAC[14] This avoids the issue[15] where some plant capacities are quoted in megawatts peak, the DC output of the solar array; while others are in MWAC, the output delivered to the grid. The AC measure was selected to make it comparable to ratings of other electricity generation technologies.[14]

Mapping

Wiki-Solar's mapping[3] shows markers for all projects over 10 megawatts peak (MWP), where the location is known. Many projects between 5 and 10 MWP are also shown, and differentiated with smaller markers.

The maps differentiate between operating projects, and those under construction and planned. The few decommissioned projects are also shown.

Site plans

A separate mapping system[4] shows the actual site footprints of all projects where the site area is known.

Some of these are now visible on published satellite views, while others have been taken from site plans, but should appear on satellite photography in the future.

Statistical analysis

Based on the many projects recorded on the database, Wiki-Solar produces statistics[16] on a global and regional[17] basis showing key parameters such as the site area per megawatt of capacity and the annual energy delivered.

Based on at the applicable local energy costs and carbon intensities, it derives a value index for each geographic region.

National analysis

Wiki-Solar lists the leading countries[18] based on their deployment of utility scale of photovoltaic power stations and summarises data by continent.[19] It also shows trends to indicate the relative progress in different countries, and is referenced by other experts in the sector.[20][21][22]

For the purpose of this analysis, the data is based on installations of 4 MWAC and above in accordance with Wiki-Solar's definition of 'utility-scale'.[14] Individual national maps are available for countries with a significant number of installations.

Annual data

After the end of each year statistics are provided showing the year's figures for each country alongside the cumulative capacity to date.[23][24][25]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2013 was reported to be 21 GW.[26]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2014 was reported to be 36 GW.[27]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2015 was reported to be over 60 GW.[28]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2016 was reported to be 96 GW.[29]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2017 was reported to be 137 GW.[30]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2018 was reported to be c. 180 GW.[31]

The global capacity of utility-scale PV power generation at the end of 2019 was reported to be c. 220 GW.[32]

Company analysis

Using a similar calculation basis to the National analysis above, Wiki-Solar produces lists of the leading participants[33] for each of the major roles described above, again used by industry analysts.[34][35]

Individual maps are available for companies with a significant number of installations.

Solar Photovoltaic Projects book

Solar Photovoltaic Projects in the mainstream power market' was published by Routledge in October 2012[6] and written by Philip Wolfe.

It covers all aspects of the development, construction and operation of utility scale of photovoltaic generating stations.

References
  1. "Wiki-Solar: The interactive information source on major global photovoltaic power projects". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  2. "The Wiki-Solar Database". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  3. "Solar parks map". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  4. "Solar park footprints". Wiki-Solar.org.
  5. "The book". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  6. Wolfe, Philip (2012). Solar Photovoltaic Projects in the mainstream power market. Oxford: Earthscan; Routledge. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-415-52048-5.
  7. "Record year for utility-scale solar". Solar Advisory Group. 20 Dec 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  8. "Wiki-Solar：2012年公共事业级光伏装机量达8.5GW". solarf.net. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  9. "Global utility-scale solar tops 8.5GW". ReNews. 12 Dec 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  10. Donnelly-Shores, Patrick (9 September 2013). "HOW BIG IS UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR?". Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  11. Wolfe, Philip. "What do we mean by utility-scale?". Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  12. Wolfe, Philip (August 2013). "Defining 'utility-scale' solar". Wiki-Solar Glossary.
  13. Wolfe, Philip (December 2013). "Defining 'utility-scale' solar: How we arrived at the threshold of 4MWAC" (PDF). Wiki-Solar Glossary. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  14. Wolfe, Philip (July 2013). "Capacity rating for solar generating stations" (PDF). Wiki-Solar Glossary. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  15. Cheyney, Tom (12 November 2010). "AC-DC conundrum: Latest PV power-plant ratings follies put focus on reporting inconsistency (update)". PV-Tech. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  16. "Analysis of utility-scale solar parks". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  17. "Regional data". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  18. "Solar parks by country". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  19. "Deployment of utility-scale solar parks by continent". Wiki-Solar. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  20. Colthorpe, Andy (14 January 2015). "Wiki-Solar: US overtook China for installed utility-scale PV capacity in Q3 2013". PV-Tech. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  21. "US set to overtake Germany for utility-scale solar power next year". Renewable Energy Focus. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  22. Leung, O (19 Nov 2012). "US set to become the world's biggest market for PV power plants". SunWize. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  23. "Global solar tops 9GW in 2012". ReNews. 16 Jan 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  24. "Utility-scale solar capacity tops 9GW, after another record year". SolarPlaza. 17 Jan 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  25. "最新：2012全球光伏装机容量排名 中国第四". ofweek. 18 Jan 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  26. "Global utility-scale solar capacity climbs through 21GW in 2013". Renew Economy. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  27. "Utility-scale solar breaks all records in 2014 to reach 36 GW" (PDF). Wiki-Solar.org. Wiki-Solar. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  28. "Global utility-scale solar capacity exceeds 60 GW as 2015 delivers another record year" (PDF). Wiki-Solar. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  29. "Another record year for utility-scale solar takes cumulative capacity close to 100 GW" (PDF). Wiki-Solar. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  30. "Yet another record year as utility-scale solar goes mainstream" (PDF). Wiki-Solar. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  31. "Utility-scale solar in 2018 Still growing thanks to Australia and other later entrants" (PDF). Wiki-Solar. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  32. "Utility-scale solar sets new record" (PDF). Wiki-Solar. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  33. "Utility-scale PV plants by company". Wiki-Solar.org. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  34. Willis, Ben (28 Nov 2012). "German and US integrators at forefront of large-scale solar". PV Tech. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  35. "'Self-integrators' still dominate solar power plant module supplies". SolarPlaza. 14 Dec 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
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