Electrical components applied at renewable energy plants - including switchgear, encoders, dampers, controllers, gearboxes and actuators - are gaining additional scrutiny as more plant developers seek ways to increase return on investment from a solar project. Developers hope that they can enhance the financial outlook for solar projects by reducing the cost of electrical components. Simple cost reductions, such as purchasing lower-quality products, can backfire, however. Electrical components all have a role to play in helping maximize plant production, because they ensure that the electrical infrastructure connecting the plant to the power grid functions reliably, thus allowing the plant to sell electricity. Lower-quality products may not offer the desired performance, and unplanned outages can have an impact on plant productivity. Lower-quality products may also be more difficult to install and commission, which can erode some of the initial cost savings as well.
展开▼
