Technology Overview

Solar power is a technology that directly converts solar radiation into electricity through the photovoltaic effect in semiconductor cells. It is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies in recent years due to rapidly declining costs, short deployment time, and flexibility across a wide range of scales, from rooftop systems to large-scale power plants.

Technical Characteristics

Solar power systems can be deployed in various forms, including utility-scale solar farms and distributed rooftop installations. The primary input is solar radiation, while the output is electricity for grid supply or on-site consumption.

The capacity factor of solar power is approximately 20%, depending on irradiation conditions and system configuration. Power generation varies with day–night cycles and weather conditions, requiring complementary solutions to maintain power system balance.

Investment cost data indicates that current capital costs are approximately 0.73 million USD/MW for ground-mounted solar systems. These costs have declined significantly in recent years, making solar one of the lowest-cost generation sources. In the energy transition, solar power plays a central role in reducing emissions, although challenges remain in grid integration and the need for energy storage or flexible generation sources.

Application in Vietnam

In Vietnam, solar power has been rapidly deployed in recent years, including both large-scale projects and rooftop installations. These projects are developed based on favorable solar irradiation conditions, contributing to the national power supply.