As the main form of solar energy utilization, photovoltaic power stations continue to innovate in their application fields. Through the exploration and practice of new models, they have achieved comprehensive improvement in economic, social, and environmental benefits. From integrating with other industries to the rise of new business models, photovoltaic power plants are integrating into various aspects of the social economy in a completely new manner.
1 Industrial Integration Model: Expanding Application Boundaries
(1) Agricultural photovoltaic complementarity: coordinated development of agriculture and photovoltaics
The agricultural photovoltaic complementary mode is the organic combination of photovoltaic power generation with agricultural planting and breeding. In the construction area of the photovoltaic power station, photovoltaic modules are installed above to generate electricity, and the land below is used for agricultural production. For example, in some vegetable planting bases, high transmittance photovoltaic modules are used to meet the light requirements for vegetable growth while achieving photovoltaic power generation. This model fully utilizes land resources and increases the comprehensive income per unit area of land. According to calculations, under the same land area, the annual income of agricultural photovoltaic complementary projects is 30% -50% higher than that of pure agricultural planting or photovoltaic power generation. At the same time, the shading effect of photovoltaic modules can lower ground temperature and reduce water evaporation in summer, which is beneficial for crop growth and can increase crop yields by 10% -20% for some crops.
In the field of aquaculture, agricultural photovoltaic complementarity has also been widely applied. If photovoltaic power stations are built above chicken and sheep farms, not only will they provide electricity for breeding facilities, but excess electricity can also be sold online. The construction of photovoltaic power stations has improved the breeding environment, reduced the impact of high summer temperatures on livestock, and increased breeding efficiency.
(2) Fishery light complementarity: efficient utilization of water surface resources
The fishery photovoltaic complementary mode is to build photovoltaic power stations on water surfaces such as fish ponds and lakes. Photovoltaic modules float on the water surface, utilizing solar energy to generate electricity, and the underwater space continues to be used for fishing and aquaculture. This model solves the problem of tight land resources, while the cooling effect of the water surface helps to improve the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic modules, which can increase power generation efficiency by 5% -10%.
In some large-scale fishery photovoltaic complementary projects, precise control of photovoltaic power generation and fishery aquaculture has been achieved through intelligent management systems. According to changes in light intensity and water temperature, the angle of photovoltaic modules and the operation of fishery aquaculture equipment are automatically adjusted, which improves resource utilization efficiency and economic benefits. For example, in a 50MW fishery photovoltaic complementary project, through intelligent management, the annual power generation reached 60 million kilowatt hours, and the fishery aquaculture output increased by 20% compared to traditional aquaculture methods, achieving a win-win situation for photovoltaic power generation and fishery aquaculture.
2 Innovation in Distributed Photovoltaic Applications: Close to User Needs
(1) Industrial and commercial rooftop photovoltaics: reducing enterprise electricity costs
Industrial and commercial rooftop photovoltaics are used to construct photovoltaic power generation systems on the roofs of enterprises. The generated energy is prioritized for the enterprise's own use, and excess electricity is connected to the grid. This model effectively reduces the electricity costs of enterprises and improves their energy self-sufficiency rate. For some high energy consuming enterprises, installing rooftop photovoltaics can save hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan in annual electricity expenses. At the same time, the construction of photovoltaic power stations has enhanced the image of enterprises and reflected their social responsibility.
In some industrial parks, centralized management and allocation of energy have been achieved through unified planning and construction of distributed photovoltaic power stations. Enterprises in the park share the power generation revenue of the photovoltaic power station according to the proportion of electricity consumption, further improving energy utilization efficiency and economic benefits. For example, a certain industrial park has built a 10MW distributed photovoltaic power station, covering 50% of the roofs of enterprises in the park, saving more than 5 million yuan in electricity expenses for enterprises every year, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 40000 tons.
(2) Residential photovoltaics: ushering in the era of green energy for households
Residential photovoltaics install small-scale photovoltaic power generation systems on residential roofs to meet daily household electricity needs and generate revenue through surplus electricity connected to the grid. With the reduction of photovoltaic module costs and the popularization of installation technology, residential photovoltaics are gradually entering thousands of households. After installing photovoltaic power stations, residents in some areas can earn thousands of yuan in electricity revenue every year, with an investment payback period of about 5-8 years.
At the same time, the development of residential photovoltaics has promoted the application of smart homes. Through the intelligent control system, residents can monitor the power generation and household electricity consumption of photovoltaic power plants in real time, and arrange the operation of electrical equipment reasonably according to the peak and valley changes in electricity prices, achieving intelligent management of household energy. For example, during peak electricity price periods, priority should be given to using the electricity generated by photovoltaic power plants, reducing the purchase of electricity from the grid and further reducing electricity costs.
3 Business model innovation of photovoltaic power plants: stimulating market vitality
(1) Photovoltaic Energy Service Company (ESCO) model
The photovoltaic energy service company (ESCO) model is invested, constructed, operated, and maintained by professional energy service companies to provide energy services to users. Users do not need to invest in the construction of photovoltaic power plants at once, they only need to pay electricity bills to ESCO according to their electricity consumption. This model reduces the investment threshold for users and improves the promotion speed of photovoltaic power plants.
ESCO has reduced construction and operation costs and improved economic benefits by scaling up the construction and operation of photovoltaic power plants. Meanwhile, ESCO is responsible for the daily maintenance and management of photovoltaic power plants, ensuring their stable operation and providing reliable energy supply to users. For example, an ESCO has built distributed photovoltaic power stations in multiple regions, serving over 1000 users. By optimizing operational management, the average power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power stations is 5% higher than the industry average, achieving a win-win situation for both the enterprise and users.
(2) Asset securitization of photovoltaic power plants
The asset securitization of photovoltaic power plants is to use the future power generation income of photovoltaic power plants as the underlying asset, and through structured design, issue asset-backed securities (ABS) for financing in the capital market. This model provides new financing channels for photovoltaic power plant enterprises, revitalizes photovoltaic power plant assets, and promotes the development of the photovoltaic industry.
Through asset securitization, photovoltaic power plant enterprises can realize future cash flows in advance and use them for the construction of new photovoltaic power plant projects. At the same time, investors can share the profits of photovoltaic power plants by purchasing ABS, expanding their investment channels. For example, a certain photovoltaic power plant enterprise raised 500 million yuan through asset securitization financing to build multiple distributed photovoltaic power plant projects, effectively promoting the scale expansion and industrial development of the enterprise.