40 essential knowledge points for those in the photovoltaic industry; knowing more than 20 makes you an expert

After the cooling-off period in 2024, the release of the National Energy Administration's "Management Measures for Distributed Construction" on the 23rd, and the issuance of the National Development and Reform Commission's notice on new energy price reform on February 9th, the photovoltaic industry has officially entered the 3.0 stage. Previously, I shared some basic knowledge points with newcomers to the industry, and then combined with the supplements from enthusiastic friends, I'm providing a summary here (If you find this helpful, please like and follow! Share it with friends in need, and please point out any errors in the comments).

I. Summary of Essential Knowledge for Photovoltaic Development

1. Distributed photovoltaic power generation is divided into four types: natural person household, non-natural person household, general commercial and industrial, and large-scale commercial and industrial.

2. Detailed differences between the four investment types:

3. The registration principle is "who invests, who registers"

4. Commercial and industrial photovoltaics completely bid farewell to full grid-connection. Distributed photovoltaic power generation projects must have the four "observable, measurable, adjustable, and controllable" functions.

5. 430 Policy: Refers to photovoltaic projects that were grid-connected and put into operation before this date, which will still be implemented according to the original policy, which is the last bonus window period for full grid-connection.

6. 531 Policy: Refers to the fact that incremental projects have fully entered the market, no longer enjoying a fixed grid-connected electricity price, and entering a transitional stage of mechanism electricity prices. Existing projects grid-connected before 531 still use the old policy.

7. New energy income = mechanism electricity income + market-oriented electricity income + capacity income - other cost sharing.

8. Mechanism electricity income = electricity price × mechanism electricity + mechanism electricity × (mechanism price - average market transaction price)

9. Market-oriented electricity income = market-oriented electricity × electricity price.

10. Conduct a feasibility study, and relevant company information should be registered with the National Development and Reform Commission (Natural persons can directly contact the power supply bureau)

Currently, many regions do not require feasibility studies, this varies by region.

11. The validity period of photovoltaic project investment registration is generally 2 years. (If full grid-connection ends at 430)

12. Agricultural photovoltaic integration, fishery photovoltaic integration, and small ground power station photovoltaic power generation projects belong to the management of centralized photovoltaic power stations (referring to registration, grid connection, etc.)

13. Other related departmental approvals are also included: (usually agricultural photovoltaic, fishery photovoltaic, pastoral photovoltaic, centralized, etc.)

① Provincial land and resources department: land pre-examination opinion, letter concerning no important mineral resources being covered, geological disaster assessment registration form,

② Provincial construction department: site selection opinion and site planning opinion,

③ Provincial/municipal cultural relics department: letter of intent for site selection (generally not required for commercial and industrial projects)

④ Provincial/municipal environmental protection department: environmental impact report

⑤ Provincial/municipal work safety administration: safety evaluation form

⑥ Provincial/municipal water conservancy department: water and soil conservation plan approval

⑦ Provincial/municipal military department: approval not involving national defense projects 14. Three certificates are needed for photovoltaic construction: land certificate, property right certificate, and construction project planning permit.

15. The validity period of the grid connection approval is generally 1 year. (Generally, the owner submits the access plan, the power bureau explores and approves the audit, issues a review to the owner, and then the power bureau issues a formal approval letter).

16. Mainstream components on the market: 210 and 210R

TOPCon, theoretical limit conversion efficiency reaches 28.7%, currently the first-line mass production can basically reach 24%+

Heterojunction HJT: The theoretical conversion efficiency is 27.5%, and the current first-line mass production can also basically reach 25%+ (it is said that Trina Solar has reached 27.08%, to be verified, those who know please comment)

BC components: The best theoretical conversion is above 27%, and many companies on the market have exceeded 27%

17. Component area on the market is currently basically around 2.7m², 2.79m², 3.1m²

18. In the past two weeks, due to the rush installation of dual policies, the current market price of components is between 0.69~0.8 yuan/W, generally 0.7+/W, full payment, delivery time of two weeks, and is expected to drop after 531.
 

19. Photovoltaic power station component attenuation: 0.5%/year

20. Photovoltaic inverters have specifications such as 20kW, 50kW, 110kW, and 350kW, with prices between 0.11~0.16 yuan/W

21. The price of brackets is between 0.1~0.3 yuan/W, 0.1 yuan/W for corrugated steel sheet paving, and for concrete roofs
 

0.12 yuan/W + concrete pier 0.11 yuan/W = 0.23 yuan/W

22. The brokerage fee generally offered by investors on the market is between 0.2-0.4, depending on the quality of the power station (the brokerage fee is expected to drop by 0.05 after the dual policies).

23. Generally, the brokerage fee is paid in a 334 or 1333 mode.

24. 1MW of photovoltaic power requires approximately 5000 square meters of corrugated steel sheet roof
25. Projects exceeding 6MW need high-voltage 10KV or 35KV (in Hubei and other regions, 400KW and above require 10kv grid connection, this depends on the region).

 

26. Currently, the investment in photovoltaic power stations on the market is generally between 2.3~3.2 yuan/W.
 

27. Low-voltage grid-connected cabinets are around 0.05~0.1 yuan/W

28. High-voltage grid connection is around 0.4~0.6 yuan/W

29. Construction costs are around 0.3 yuan/W (depending on the region, mountainous areas, commercial and industrial areas are 0.25). If the price is lower than this, it is basically second-hand.

30. The cost of carport structures is between 0.5~0.9 yuan/W (depending on the design structure and materials, currently there are C, V, W, H, etc., on the market).

31. Other materials (cable tray/maintenance channel, cleaning system, monitoring, grounding) total 0.15 yuan/watt

32. Grid connection fee is approximately CNY 0.1/W, with an expected increase of approximately CNY 0.05 at the current stage.

23. Construction unit management costs, etc., are approximately CNY 0.15~0.2/W.

24. If roof reinforcement is required, the cost is approximately CNY 0.1~0.3/W.

25. Design and survey costs are generally around CNY 0.03/W.

26. O&M costs are generally around CNY 0.035/W per year.

26. First-year distributed photovoltaic power generation = installed capacity * annual effective hours (varies by location) * approximately 0.75 (system efficiency)
28. First-year centralized photovoltaic power generation = installed capacity * annual effective hours (varies by location) * approximately 0.8 (system efficiency)

29. 1MW = 1000Kw = 1000000W
30. A 1MW system corresponds to a 1250 kVA transformer.

Number of photovoltaic panels for 1 MW
1 MW = 575W panels = 1739 photovoltaic panels
1 MW = 585W panels = 1709 photovoltaic panels
1 MW = 600W panels = 1666 photovoltaic panels
1 MW = 620W panels = 1612 photovoltaic panels
1 MW = 650W panels = 1538 photovoltaic panels
1 MW = 680 panels = 1470 photovoltaic panels
1 MW = 710W panels = 1408 photovoltaic panels

31. Commercial and industrial rooftop lease for photovoltaic systems generally ranges from CNY 6-8/square meter; it will be higher for household use. This also depends on the location.
 

32. The difference in power generation between flat-mounted and angled photovoltaic systems is 5-35%.
33. Photovoltaic installations are generally 20% larger than the grid capacity.
34. Photovoltaic east-west shading avoidance = height * 2.3

35. Photovoltaic power plant capacity ratio = total installed capacity of photovoltaic modules / rated capacity of inverter

The capacity ratio in areas with stable sunlight is 1, meaning the module capacity is equal to 1.
 

In areas with abundant solar resources, the capacity ratio will be greater than 1, generally between 1.2 and 1.5.

36. The insurance rate for commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems is between 0.1% and 1%.
 

37. Revenue of a photovoltaic power plant = annual power generation * electricity price - O&M costs - insurance costs - labor costs - income tax

38. High-voltage line distance cost: For distances exceeding 1.5 kilometers, the cost increases by CNY 300,000~400,000 per kilometer.

39. Generally, an inverter can accommodate 80% of its rated capacity of photovoltaic systems (varies by region).

40. Currently, the market price for sapling compensation is approximately CNY 1500~2000/mu; the specific price varies depending on the location.