When Too Much Solar PV And Lack Of Infrastructure Hurts
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<p>A very good example of why a headlong rush into solar PV or wind generation without taking into consideration the distribution infrastructure or building in storage isn't such a flash idea. It can hurt otherwise if you get it wrong.</p><p>Chile’s solar industry has expanded so quickly that it’s giving electricity away for free.</p><p>Spot prices reached zero in parts of the country on 113 days through April, a number that’s on track to beat last year’s total of 192 days, according to Chile’s central grid operator. While that may be good for consumers, it’s bad news for companies that own power plants struggling to generate revenue and developers seeking financing for new facilities.</p><p>Solar capacity on Chile’s central power grid, known as SIC, has more than quadrupled to 770 megawatts for since long. Much of that comes from the grid’s northern sections, the Atacama region that’s home to the copper industry. Total installed capacity increased 5 percent in the past year, with half coming from solar farms, according to the grid operator, Classic. SIC supplies power to the regions where 90 percent of the country’s residential demand is located.</p><p>The country is expected to install almost 1.4 gigawatts of solar power this year, up from 371 megawatts, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.</p>
