Solar power plants are developed to deliver merchant electricity into the grid as an alternative to other renewable, fossil or nuclear generating stations.[83]
The plant owner is an electricity generator. Most solar power plants today are owned by independent power producers (IPP's),[84] though some are held by investor- or community-owned utilities.[85]
Some of these power producers develop their own portfolio of power plants,[86] but most solar parks are initially designed and constructed by specialist project developers.[87] Typically the developer will plan the project, obtain planning and connection consents, and arrange financing for the capital required.[88] The actual construction work is normally contracted to one or more EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractors