Solar voltaic generation power plants: 1000 MW to 10 kW photovoltaic plant design and application guide for the Pacific Northwest

Solar photovoltaic generation is shown in a generic power plant design for electric utility distribution engineering, construction and operation in plant capacities from several kilowatt consumer loads to gigawatt central-stations. Weather-based solar fuel availability predictions and confirmation measurements for regional locations show the expected dispatchable power from a 1000 MW solar power plant. Solar fuel to electricity conversion at the plant is supplied by any 2m² , 200 watt or higher capacity solar photovoltaic unit generator module. The modules are plugged into the electric utility´s plant structure and power electronics, selling energy through standardized power-SCADA interface connectors. Kilowatt production, co-located with crops on the same tilled land, mitigates impacts of large solar array areas and can capture atmospheric CO₂. Diurnal and seasonal variations in solar photovoltaic generation are shown, integrated into the region´s hydroelectric capacity. A near-term, 100 year life, solar power plant, less the PV modules, is estimated at $160/kW. Solar power cost-effectiveness hinges on the PV module industry soon attaining mass-production factory costs to sell power at a plug-in interface, in 20% fuel-dependent annual capacity factor locations for 20 mills/kWh