Classification of Solar Power Plants (PV Power Plants)

Solar power plants (photovoltaic or PV power plants) can be classified in several ways depending on their installation method, grid connection, tracking technology, application, and system design. Understanding these classifications helps investors and developers evaluate PV configurations based on project objectives, technical requirements, and investment strategy.

This article provides an overview of the main types of photovoltaic power plants used in commercial and utility-scale renewable energy projects.

According to the method of placing solar modules, all photovoltaic systems are divided into the following types:

• Ground-based solar power plants
• Rooftop solar power plants (located on flat, pitched and other types of roofs)
• Facade solar power plants
• Solar power plants based on BIPV technology
• Solar carports
• Floating solar power plants
• Mobile (or portable) solar power plants

Another classification of solar systems is based on the type of solar tracking system used:

• Stationary solar power plants with solar panels located on fixed support structures
• Solar power plants that can track the direction to the sun, mounted on single-axis solar trackers with a changeable tilt angle (the position of solar PV modules is adjusted automatically or mechanically several times a season)
• Solar power plants tracking the sun’s position, mounted on single-axis “east-west” solar trackers (the angle of solar PV modules is automatically adjusted during daylight hours)
• Solar power plants tracking the sun on biaxial solar trackers (the angle of inclination and azimuth of solar PV modules is adjusted automatically during a whole day)

According to their interaction with electrical grids, photovoltaic systems are divided into the following types:

• On-grid solar PV power plants (can be built using both string and central solar inverters)
• Off-grid solar power plants with AC output
• Off-grid solar power plants with DC output
• Hybrid and backup solar power plants
• Solar-diesel hybrid PV power plants

The most widespread on-grid solar PV power plants, which can both operate on the electrical supply into 0.4 kV internal grid without overflow of electrical power to the external grid, and transmit all the generated energy in the grid with a higher voltage. The first case refers to solar power plants integrated into the internal power grids of buildings and structures and working to meet their own electricity needs. In the second case, we are talking about the sale of generated electricity to other consumers. In this case, the generation of electricity using solar panels is most often geographically separated from consumption, and additional transportation is required (usually, with voltage transformation to minimize energy losses).

By the type of the main technology used for converting solar irradiation into electricity, photovoltaic systems are divided into:

• Crystalline silicon solar power plants (the most common are solutions based on monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar modules)
• Solar PV power plants on amorphous silicon
• Thin-film solar power plants based on CdTe technology

Depending on the design of solar panels, the following systems are distinguished:

• Regular solar power plants (rooftop and ground)
• Bifacial solar power plant
• Transparent or semi-transparent solar power plants (most often used as BIPV solutions)

By the type of application, photovoltaic systems are divided into:

• Home solar power plants for private households
• Commercial solar power plants

Depending on the method of subsequent use of the generated electricity, photovoltaic systems are divided into:

• Solar power plants for the sale of electricity by a “green” tariff (depending on the specifics of local legislation, it can be all generated energy or just the difference between generated and consumed electricity)
• Solar power plants for the sale of generated electricity using an auction system 
• Solar power plants that generate electricity for their own consumption without selling it to the grid
• Balancing solar power plants (e.g. with BESS)

Typical commercial applications:

• Industrial manufacturing facilities
• Warehouses and logistics centres
• Agricultural enterprises
• Commercial buildings
• Office buildings
• Shopping centres
• Hotels and hospitality facilities
• Public infrastructure

The optimal PV system configuration depends on project objectives, site conditions, electricity consumption profile, grid requirements, and investment strategy.

Learn more about Avenston’s Operating Partner approach to commercial and utility-scale renewable energy projects in our What We Do section.