Environmentally friendly power sources offer the advantage of not relying on fossil fuels. The transition from fossil fuels to eco-friendly energy reflects a commitment to achieving zero-emission status.
Solar and gas energy sources are popular choices due to the ease with which they can be harnessed to generate electricity. However, the next question concerns their respective characteristics and standout advantages.
Read on for the following discussion.
Differences Between Solar Power Plants (PLTS) and Gas-Fired Power Plants (PLTG)
How They Work
a. How Solar Power Plants (PLTS) Work
A key component of a solar power plant is the photovoltaic cell. Its function is to capture solar heat and convert it into electrical energy.
The heat captured by the photovoltaic cells is used to heat a fluid, turning it into steam. This hot steam is subsequently used to generate electricity.
Solar power plants rely on solar cells to operate; the function of these cells is to convert solar energy directly into electrical energy.
This process is classified as an active solar energy system because it requires equipment to capture solar energy and convert it into electricity.
b. How Gas-Fired Power Plants (PLTG) Work
Gas-fired power plants utilize heat transfer and mechanical motion systems to generate electricity. Heat transfer is employed to change the phase of natural gas, while mechanical motion drives the turbine.
Initially, natural gas is fed into the plant's combustion chamber. The gas is then burned within the chamber to convert water into steam.
The steam produced by this combustion process drives a turbine connected to an electric generator. The movement of the turbine generates kinetic energy, which the generator then converts into electrical energy.
Energy Sources
Gas-fired power plants use natural gas extracted from underground reserves. Once extracted, the gas undergoes processing to filter out impurities and produce pure natural gas. This filtered gas is transported via pipeline to the power plant for conversion into energy.
Solar power plants derive energy from sunlight, which is collected and converted into electricity. Solar energy is considered a clean source with a long-lasting supply.
Energy Production Process
Natural gas power plants (PLTG) utilize combustion turbines to convert natural gas into electrical energy. The process involves converting the gas into vapor, which is then used to drive the turbine.
Solar power plants (PLTS) employ photovoltaic technology to generate electricity using wafers made of conductive silicon. When solar energy strikes these wafers, a chemical reaction occurs that releases electricity for distribution to homes.
Production Costs
Natural gas costs have risen due to supply and demand factors. As the use of other fossil fuels declines, the number of natural gas users has increased; this trend indirectly drives up natural gas prices. These price hikes are further fueled by production costs and inflation.
Conversely, solar energy has seen a decrease in production costs. Since 2012, the U.S. market has experienced a 60% drop in solar panel costs, driven by technological maturity and local government subsidies.
Indonesia also implements solar panel subsidy policies through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), specifically via the program for utilizing solar energy for small-scale rooftop solar power plants.
Efficiency
Both natural gas and solar energy have limitations regarding usage and technology. However, a comparison reveals that solar energy offers higher efficiency than natural gas.
Solar panels typically have an efficiency rate of 15% to 20%, depending on the brand and technology used. In contrast, natural gas achieves up to 80% efficiency in driving power plants.
Statistically, natural gas is more efficient than solar energy. However, when considering the origin of the resource, solar power is far superior as it is a renewable energy source, unlike natural gas, which is non-renewable.
Which Should You Choose: Solar (PLTS) or Natural Gas (PLTG)?
Solar panels are a suitable choice for installations in locations such as households, factories, schools, hospitals, community health centers (Puskesmas), hotels, and warehouses. Both production and maintenance costs are considered affordable. Moreover, there are government subsidy programs available.
Additionally, a gas-fired power plant (PLTG) is worth considering if you reside in an area with abundant natural gas reserves, as you could utilize the resource to generate electricity.