Simple economic evaluation and applications experiments for photovoltaic systems for remote sites
A simple evaluation of the cost effectiveness of photovoltaic systems is presented. The evaluation is based on a calculation of breakeven costs of photovoltaics (PV) arrays with the levelized costs of two alternative energy sources (1) extension of the utility grid and (2) diesel generators. A selected number of PV applications experiments that are in progress in remote areas of the US are summarized. These applications experiments range from a 23 watt insect survey trap to a 100 kW PV system for a national park complex. It is concluded that PV systems for remote areas are now cost effective in remote small applications with commercially available technology and will be cost competitive for intermediate scale systems (approx. 10 kW) in the 1980s if the DOE 1986 Commercial Readiness Goals are achieved.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5276433
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-80-0749C
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
ECONOMICS
BREAKEVEN
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DIESEL ENGINES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FUEL CONSUMPTION
POWER RANGE 1-10 KW
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
POWER RANGE 10-100 W
POWER RANGE 100-1000 W
REMOTE AREAS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY BALANCE
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
POWER SUPPLIES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems