Total DC Capacity (Solar Farm): 162 MW
Total AC Capacity (Interconnection): 80 MW
DC/AC Ratio: 2.03
Battery Capacity: 32 MW (for 4 hours, equivalent to 128 MWh)
Solar Irradiance (Southern Puerto Rico): 5.8 kWh/m²/day or 2,118 kWh/m²/year
Solar Panel Type: Jinko Cheetah PERC HC JKM 400M-72HL-V or Trina TSM-DE-(II)-400
Solar Panel Rated Capacity: 400 Watts DC
Solar Panel Voltage: 1,500 volts
Solar Panel Efficiency: 19.88%
Solar Panel Dimensions: 2 x 1 m
Inverter Efficiency: 95% (0.95 as a decimal)
Interconnection Capacity: 80 MW
Initial Price per kWh: $0.0985 (9.85 cents)
Price Increase per Year: 0.005 cents per year
Cap Price per kWh: $0.115 (11.5 cents)
Number of Years for Initial Period: 25 years
Number of Years for First Extension: 5 years
Number of Years for Second Extension: 5 years
Here's one simplified approach to calculate the possible yearly production:
- 162 MW / 400 W = 406,000 solar panels
- 406,000 panels take up at least 812,000 square meters (tilt and spacing ignored)
- 2,118 kWh/m²/year solar irradiance x 812,000 m² x 0.1988 solar panel efficiency x 0.95 DC to AC conversion efficiency = 324,804,449.76 kWh/year
Assuming all output can also be sold to PREPA (by putting it on the grid using the 115 kV connection) that could possibly equal to a maximum revenue of 31,993,238 USD in production year 1.
Important notes: - One solar panel produces 1,500 Volt DC
- The interconnection to the grid requires AC, for which the produced kWh is the much more interesting number for us, as that is sold to PREPA
- Montalva Solar Farm will be oversized for the grid (162 MW DC versus 80 MW AC) which is not uncommon for very large solar farms. Home installations are usually between 1.1 - 1.3 DC to AC.
- This oversizing is likely done to get a better possible usage of the grid capacity bandwidth throughout the day (as the solar production also varies throughout the day)
- The same applies for the battery part of the project, it's likely used to use the interconnection bandwidth as stable and high as possible
- The solar panels used in these calculations (400 Watt) are likely no longer the best tech option as panels now have increased Wattage/panel at a lower cost
Hope this helps you in the right direction.