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Most stations are sited within a few kilometres of a suitable grid connection point. This network needs to be capable of absorbing the output of the solar park when operating at its maximum capacity. The project developer will normally have to absorb the cost of providing powerlines to this point and making the connection; in addition often to any costs associated with upgrading the grid, so it can accommodate the output from the plant.

Income is therefore affected not only by the reliability of equipment within the plant, but also by the availability of the grid network to which it is exporting

(1) Solar Electric or PV modules convert sunlight to electricity. The PV modules generate DC electricity - or direct current - sending it to the inverter. (2) The inverter transforms the DC power into AC electricity for ordinary household needs. (3) Existing electrical panel distributes solar electricity and utility power to (4) loads (appliances). For systems with a battery backup (optional), the inverter also regulates the charge of batteries. The electricity stored in the batteries can be used at night or during blackouts.

Conceptually, replacing the current oil-based infrastructure with hydrogen would cost billions, maybe trillions, of dollars. Although abundant in the universe, hydrogen is fairly rare in our atmosphere, meaning that it has to be extracted (for example through electrolysis, as explained above) and currently, the process is cost prohibitive and inefficient. Its production at energy plants creates excessive carbon dioxide. When it burns, a hydrogen flame is virtually invisible; coupled with the gas’s propensity for escaping, in small amounts, almost any tank, there are concerns about explosions. On the plus side, hydrogen is so light it typically is dispersed in the air very quickly. On-board storage is a major issue; a hydrogen tank would currently be too large for a car. It is a very flammable gas (think of the Hindenburg), which further adds to the on-board storage problems.