C. Advantages and Disadvantages
11. SYSTEM TYPES AND OUTPUT CHARACTERISTICS
There are many significant differences between the output characteristics of PV systems and conventional power generation systems. First of all, while the required input (fuel) depends on the output in a conventional power plant, the input to a PV system is determined by external factors such as location, geometry, orientation, cloud cover, time of day, and the season. Secondly, PV plants produce inertia-less generation and their outputs can vary much faster due to say, moving clouds, than the outputs of conventional thermal and hydro units. Some of the other differences stem from the unique current-voltage characteristic of solar cells (modules).