The capacity factor for this project is a more typical 27%. The nameplate capacity is 20 MW (hence the PS20 name).
Actual Power = Nameplate Power x Capacity Factor
5.4 MW = 20 MW x 0.27
The total area of the array is not stated in the wiki page. Google maps indicates that PS20 occupies a footprint of 1000 m x 1000 m = 1.106 m2. Again, because this is already in m2 there is no worry about unit conversion - whew!
Power Density = Average Power/Total Area
5.4 W/m2 = 5.4 MW/1.106 m2
Perhaps surprisingly this is about the same as a typical PV farm like Topaz. The idea of the extreme temperatures at the top of the tower mislead us into thinking that it will have a higher power density than other forms of solar power.
Cost/MW Installed Capacity:
It was difficult to find a cost estimate for the construction of PS20 though eventually I found a report that put it at 100 M$.
Cost/MW = total cost/nameplate power
5 $/W= 100 M$/20 MW
Comparable to solar trough collectors though a little better. As mentioned previously it's probably more reasonable to calculate the cost/W of delivered power. For PS20 the capacity factor is 27%
Cost/MW = total cost/delivered power
18.51 $/W= 100 M$/(20 MW x .27)
Again, very similar to solar trough collectors and much higher than traditional power plants.
