- Asked 5/21
- 2079 Chaitra · 6 marks
Solar versus hydro operational characteristics
Short answer
Solar PV is intermittent, inverter-connected, 15-22% efficient, not dispatchable, low maintenance, low and falling capital, quick to install, about 25-year life. Hydro is continuous, synchronous, 85-92% efficient, fully dispatchable, high capital, long construction, 50+ year life. Both have very low running costs; solar complements dry-season hydro.
Compare the operational characteristics of Solar Power plant with hydro power plant on the basis of reliability, grid connection, efficiency, operating range, maintainability and economics.
A solar power plant (mostly PV) converts sunlight directly into electricity; a hydropower plant converts the energy of falling water through turbines and synchronous generators.
Comparison
| Basis | Solar PV plant | Hydropower plant |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | Daytime only, weather dependent; capacity factor about 15–20%; needs battery or backup | Continuous; RoR seasonal, storage firm; capacity factor about 50–65% |
| Grid connection | Via inverters; no inertia; voltage rise and harmonics; MPPT and grid codes needed | Synchronous machines; give inertia, reactive power, frequency control and black-start |
| Efficiency | About 15–22% (module), lower overall | About 85–92% |
| Operating range | Not dispatchable; follows sun; can only curtail | Fully dispatchable 0–100% through governor; good part-load (Pelton, Kaplan) |
| Maintainability | Simple; cleaning, inverter replacement; no moving parts | Mechanical and civil maintenance; sediment erosion; skilled staff |
| Economics: capital | Low and falling; modular; builds in months | High per kW; long construction (4–8 years) |
| Economics: running | Very low | Very low |
| Economics: life | About 25 years | 50+ years |
| Economics: tariff | Low energy cost in sunny areas but storage adds cost | Low cost per kWh over long life |
Remarks
- Hydro is more reliable, efficient and grid-friendly; solar is cheaper and quicker to install.
- In Nepal, solar is strongest in the dry season when river flows are low, so both complement each other.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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