SMRs for the grid ( which don't actually exist btw ) are pretty pointless because they are too small. We have fast start peakers of around that size.
They may have some applications in remote Artic/Antarctic areas for example but for the normal national grid, no.
SMRs, just like large reactors, need to run constantly in order for their business case to work. They don't work like a peaking generator.
Because of that, they can't compete on price with renewables plus storage and they never will.
Unlike renewables, they require significant technical support e.g submarine, can't be located in a community like solar and storage can and produce toxic waste that lasts for thousands of years.
Given the rapid expansion of renewables plus storage, SMRs are further hindered because they will miss their window.
As to size, it doesn't matter. We have plenty of space for solar panels.
Let's not forget that solar panels can be mounted on rooftops. In that circumstance they are taking up less space than the SMR and let's not talk about security or the exclusion zones an SMR will need. The rooftop mounted solar in the example below provides the electricity right where it is needed in the community. Not at some remote location a million miles away. Industrial buildings with rooftop solar combined with local community storage are an infinitely better ideal than toxic SMRs. In the future it is very likely that all industrial surfaces will have solar generation capacity at some level. Coatings that add very little to the cost that will produce power.
) are pretty pointless because they are too small. We have fast start peakers of around that size.
