Profit margin for Solar Chimney projects and land power density?

In summary, the solar chimney project in Madrid occupies 110 acres of land, but only outputs humble 50 kW.
  • #1
Kiwaho Kilowatthour
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It is said that the Madrid Spain solar chimney project occupies 110 acres land, but only output humble 50 kw: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_updraft_tower

The fact: the average yearly solar power density of above powerplant = 0.11 W/m^2

Interestingly, there are many countries still planning next solar chimney projects, such as the billions dollar project of solar chimney with land coverage of circa 100 square kilometers in the desert of China who is the biggest PV solar panel production country in the world.

Why the harvestable solar power density is so tiny, and still sought-after?

To answer this question, we need a reference frame.

In comparison with planting cash crops, what is the minimal yet profitable power density PD of a land size dependent power generator?

Assuming energy price just as same as Hydro company $0.10/kwh, and given 1 acre = 4047 m^2, harvestable $653/acre/year soybean from USA agriculture statistic data.

Solve from this equation: 0.1 x (4047 x PD x 24 x 365 / 1000) = 653

We get: PD = 0.18 W/m^2

It means that every new invented method of solar energy harvest must have at least 0.18 W/m^2, despite the transient powerful sunshine 1360 W/m^2.

The power density 0.11 W/m^2 of the Spanish project is very close to this threshold, and obviously there is still potential for improvement.

Perhaps that is the possible answer for the question.

What is your opinion?
 
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  • #2
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
It means that every new invented method of solar energy harvest must have at least 0.18 W/m^2,
Photovoltaic cells seem to exceed that by a factor of 1000 approximately

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel
 
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  • #3
Dale said:
Photovoltaic cells seem to exceed that by a factor of 1000 approximately

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel
Therefore, if a farmer switches to PV power generation, a 1000 times profit than cash-crops can be gained?

But curiously, why my neighboring farmers who installed PV many years ago, they are still unhappy with the supposed 1000 times profit? Even a few of guys dismantled and sold the panels, then re-farm the land with dirty cheap crops.
 
  • #4
If PV super good and I were president of china, I would pass some special laws: prohibiting PV export and making full domestic use; reducing crude oil import; switching crops plantation to PV power generation; importing all foods from other countries; ...
 
  • #5
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
Therefore, if a farmer switches to PV power generation, a 1000 times profit than cash-crops can be gained?

No. It means that power density w/m^2 is a poor way to measure the usefulness or the value.
 
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  • #6
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
Therefore, if a farmer switches to PV power generation, a 1000 times profit than cash-crops can be gained?

But curiously, why my neighboring farmers who installed PV many years ago, they are still unhappy with the supposed 1000 times profit?
Probably because they made bad assumptions and are not getting that much profit, despite the power.
 
  • #7
Dale said:
Probably because they made bad assumptions and are not getting that much profit, despite the power.
"Too good to be true, I was misguided by bad scientists & government agents, the gain even cannot cover loan interest", some guys complained.
 
  • #8
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
"Too good to be true, I was misguided by bad scientists & government agents, the gain even cannot cover loan interest", some guys complained.
Yes, that sounds right. So going back to your assumptions, what do you think you may have missed?
 
  • #9
The old fable: A rabbit and a turtle are racing on a racetrack, unfortunately the winner is the turtle, not the rabbit.
Of course, the rabbit transient "power density" is far greater than the turtle. Why the rabbit is the loser?
Perhaps this may be the same scenario: PV & solar chimney.
PV is too picky on direct sunshine, it outputs zero during long night, even almost zero during dawn & dusk & overcasting weather. Therefore PV hates to be averaged by 365*24 = 8760 hours.
A solar-tracking mechanism is very important to PV. Also in hot weather above 30 Celsius degree, the efficiency will plummet freefally, so cooling system is better to have.
 
  • #10
No, that isn’t the issue at all. The problem is that you are looking only at revenue, not costs. Profit is revenue - cost.
 
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  • #11
Dale said:
No, that isn’t the issue at all. The problem is that you are looking only at revenue, not costs. Profit is revenue - cost.
Therefore, the correct math equation for equivalence should be:
0.1 x (4047 x PD x 24 x 365 / 1000) - SystemCost = 653 - PlantingCost ?
Oh, forgot, local government buys back PV energy not $0.1/kwh, but $0.2/kwh for temporary incentive.
 
  • #13
Let us check with the $9 billion dollar price tagged parabolic trough solar farm in Morocco:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouarzazate_Solar_Power_Station
p04hy3gq.jpg

Calculate the power density on land:
Given official data -- the finished NOOR I stage 450 hectares on land characterized as 2635 kWh/m^2/year, its salable capacity 370 GWh/year.
We deduce:
1. Yearly receivable irradiation average power = 2635*1000/(365*24) = 301 W/m^2
It is reasonable, because the solar power density above atmosphere 1360 W/m^2, and the Earth surface area = 4*Pi*Radius^2 = 4 times of central circle area = 4 times sunshine projection area, thus the theoretical average diffused heat power density = 1360/4 = 340 W/m^2. The measured value 301 W/m^2 sounds right.
2. The infact harvested power density = 370 GWh/year / 4500000 m^2 = 370,000,000,000/(365*24)/4,500,000 = 9.4 w/m^2
3. The average efficiency of heat-to-power = 9.4/301 = 3.1%
4. The transient quasi efficiency at noon moment = 9.4/1360 = 0.7%, only this data can be compared with the PV nameplate efficiency 12%.
Instant question: now that the transient efficient of this mirror-molten-salt system so tiny 0.7%, why not to use PV?
5. As per previous vague threshold of plantation reference frame 0.18 W/m^2, its power density is 9.4/0.18 = 52 times greater.
6. We can see large gap between adjacent rows of parabolic troughs array. It seems that the power density could be doubled if narrow the gap to almost zero.
Is any my calculation wrong?
 

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  • #14
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
6. We can see large gap between adjacent rows of parabolic troughs array. It seems that the power density could be doubled if narrow the gap to almost zero.
You can double the power density when the sun angle is high. The density is not doubled at times of day or seasons of the year when the sun angle is lower. You might also be giving up convenient access for maintenance and repairs. Then there is the question of how increasing density increases profit. If land is cheap and troughs are expensive then density is not an important metric.
 
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  • #15
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
Is any my calculation wrong?
What are you trying to calculate?
 
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  • #16
Dale said:
What are you trying to calculate?
Just wondering why the rich Arab country choose low efficiency mirror-molten-salt system, but not the high efficiency PV farm.
 
  • #17
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
Just wondering why the rich Arab country choose low efficiency mirror-molten-salt system, but not the high efficiency PV farm.
Why are they building empty cities in the middle of deserts?
 
  • #18
The Wikipedia says it sells to europe at price tag $0.19 /kWh.
Is this price competitive in europe local energy market?
 
  • #19
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
Interestingly, there are many countries still planning next solar chimney projects, such as the billions dollar project of solar chimney with land coverage of circa 100 square kilometers in the desert of China...
Do you have a reference for that? I couldn't find any with a quick google. I find it hard to believe.
Why the harvestable solar power density is so tiny, and still sought-after?
I don't see that it is sought after. As far as I know, there aren't any utility scale solar updtaft plants and we go years between threads on the subject here. If it hasn't been commercialized after 30 year, I think there is probably a reason for that.
In comparison with planting cash crops...
I don't think they are mutually exclusive, are they?
 
  • #20
russ_watters said:
Do you have a reference for that? I couldn't find any with a quick google. I find it hard to believe.

I don't see that it is sought after. As far as I know, there aren't any utility scale solar updtaft plants and we go years between threads on the subject here. If it hasn't been commercialized after 30 year, I think there is probably a reason for that.

I don't think they are mutually exclusive, are they?

There are many reports in Chinese media, but less in English media. The Wikipedia does mention the solar chimney project in China. I will try to collect its photos in Chinese media later.

Following Chinese news link for your reference:
https://www.china5e.com/news/news-198134-1.html
 
  • #21
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
There are many reports in Chinese media, but less in English media. The Wikipedia does mention the solar chimney project in China. I will try to collect its photos in Chinese media later.

Following Chinese news link for your reference:
https://www.china5e.com/news/news-198134-1.html
I don't see anything about a 100 square km system in that link. And no, the wiki doesn't say anything more than that there is an experimental project.
 
  • #24
Kiwaho Kilowatthour said:
Just wondering why the rich Arab country choose low efficiency mirror-molten-salt system, but not the high efficiency PV farm.
I don’t think that any calculation will answer that. You might be able to find press releases from the time of the decision that would answer that (assuming that the publicly stated reasons are correct)
 
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  • #25
I first heard of the solar updraft tower around 1995, when a developer in India asked my firm to do an engineering evaluation of his design, We declined because the proposed scale (500 km diameter at the base) was far beyond engineering experience. But I recall the principle that efficiency of an updraft tower increased with physical scale.

All forms of power production must compete with alternative forms. Solar PV and wind power are both enjoying a period where their costs are decreasing rapidly. In rough numbers, PV cost in $/MW or m^2/MW decreases by a factor of 3 every 3 years. So if a solar updraft tower project will take 9 years to complete, the cost of PV may be 1/25th of today's cost 9 years from now. That is tough competition.

On the wind side, GE just announced a 12MW offshore wind turbine (http://reneweconomy.com.au/ge-unveils-massive-new-12mw-wind-turbine-19016/) that will further decrease $/MW and m^2/MW. That is also tough competition.

I'll use the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouarzazate_Solar_Power_Station project you liked as an example. Construction began in 2013, and design was probably fixed in 2010. Cost $9 billion and capacity 580MW. That is $15.50/watt. Today's PV panels cost as little at $0.37/watt. 8 years ago and including installation and infrastructure that number may have been close to $15/watt. That is an example of how important just one factor (time) that you did not include can matter.

So, I think that you are trying to oversimplify. The calculations needed to evaluate profit are much more complicated.
 
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  • #26
anorlunda said:
I first heard of the solar updraft tower around 1995, when a developer in India asked my firm to do an engineering evaluation of his design, We declined because the proposed scale (500 km diameter at the base) was far beyond engineering experience. But I recall the principle that efficiency of an updraft tower increased with physical scale.
Oh, my my God, 500 km diameter circle can cover many cities inside! My Chinese client only tried me to consult on a 100 km^2 or so project, I not yet refuse, but probably will refuse soon, because of too low power density.
Do you know Moore's law in IC industry? I don't believe the transistors density increase endlessly, and probably current CPUs already touch the limit.
Same thing with PV solar panels, I don't think the price can drop down in large scale, but may subject to minor decrease.
I know how the raw silicon materials are processed into usable PV cells, the processes consume phenomenal energy in crucible pots, therefore its price is hardly to further drop down, as the processes may be already tuned for max optimization.
Above just my personal opinions.
 
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1. What is the typical profit margin for Solar Chimney projects?

The profit margin for Solar Chimney projects can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, project size, and government incentives. On average, profit margins for these projects range from 10-20%. However, in some cases, profit margins can be as high as 30% or more.

2. How is the profit margin calculated for Solar Chimney projects?

The profit margin for Solar Chimney projects is typically calculated by taking the total revenue generated from the project and subtracting all associated costs, including materials, labor, and installation. The remaining amount is the profit margin. It is important to note that profit margins can be affected by various factors and may vary significantly from project to project.

3. What is the land power density for Solar Chimney projects?

The land power density for Solar Chimney projects is the amount of power that can be generated per unit of land area. This can vary depending on the size and design of the project, as well as the location and available resources. On average, land power density for Solar Chimney projects ranges from 100-200 watts per square meter.

4. Can the profit margin and land power density be improved for Solar Chimney projects?

Yes, there are several ways to improve the profit margin and land power density for Solar Chimney projects. Some strategies include optimizing the design and location of the project, utilizing advanced materials and technology, and securing government incentives and subsidies. Additionally, ongoing research and development in this field may lead to further improvements in profit margins and land power density.

5. Are there any potential challenges or risks associated with Solar Chimney projects and their profit margin and land power density?

Like any renewable energy project, Solar Chimney projects may face challenges such as high upfront costs, limited availability of suitable locations, and potential technological limitations. Additionally, fluctuations in government policies and incentives may also impact the profit margin and land power density for these projects. It is important for scientists and developers to carefully consider these factors when planning and implementing Solar Chimney projects.

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