PV building lements

The LESO-PB has been working on the architectural integration of photovoltaic elements with the financial support of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy since 1990. In this paper, we discuss the advantages and the feasibility of the integration of photovoltaics, focusing on the following test-installations:— The DEMOSITE, an international exhibition centre of photovoltaic building elements, which was set up to inform potential users (architects, authorities and anybody who might commission a building) about the architectural integration possibilities of photovoltaics.— Two new photovoltaic systems integrated into buildings on the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology: (1) cladding on the facade of one of the buildings of the Department of Electricity, and (2) an innovative flat roof installation situated on the building of the Department of Materials where photovoltaic panels are mounted on low supports of reinforced concrete.     

10% from renewables? The potential contribution from an HK schools PV installation programme

Hong Kong (HK) is currently assessing its future policy on renewable energy and public consultation indicates greater support for renewable energy than previously envisaged, including “willingness-to-pay” for green electricity and also that the present (1% by 2012, 2% by 2017 and 3% by 2022) targets are too conservative. This paper considers the role of de-centralised energy generation by looking at sector-by-sector energy generation and use, in this paper, schools. In HK, schools are horizontally biased compared with the vertical emphasis of other sectors. This paper assesses the contribution of the extensive photovoltaic (PV) arrays installed on the Ma Wan School to meet 10% of the School's annual electricity demand based on the first four months data and compared with the project inception simulation studies plus the impact of a specially developed Schools Building Energy Management System (BEMS) to raise awareness of energy efficient use in classrooms. The project—jointly funded by the HK Government and the research institute of the local utility, CLP RI,—was the pilot for small-scale grid-connection technical and non-technical issues and also identified the need for specially trained PV installation engineers.     

Energy saving and solar energy use in the University of Valencia (Spain)

Recent years have seen increasing public interest in issues related to energy saving and concern for the environment. It is important to highlight the work of public institutions in this respect. This was the motive that led the University of Valencia to finance a pilot project with the objective of studying useful initiatives for optimising energy consumption in accordance with the institution’s needs as well as the incorporation of innovative and more efficient technologies. The approach was to consider various aspects ranging from the analysis of the current energy consumption and the state of the installations, through the substitution of some energy inefficient components, to the study of the possible installation of a photovoltaic solar powered electricity generation station connected to the network. Also purely technical questions on economic efficiency should not be forgotten as this could lead to a reduction in energy consumption and the optimisation of the current energy consuming equipment, since generally, it is this question that limits the possible energy saving actions.     

Progress in PV manufacturing technologies

This paper discusses the different PV technologies in the market today in terms of their research and manufacturing status, as well as issues and advantages they are facing in their future. These technologies include crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium diselenide, and concentrators. Future generations of PV technologies—for example, the dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell—are discussed in the context of the richness of photovoltaic technology for opportunities to convert sunlight into electricity.     

Parametric assessment of concentrated photovoltaic parks for the Mediterranean region

Solar electricity produced by concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar cells is an alternative renewable energy technology for sustainably providing the world's future energy requirements. Although the technology is relatively recent, it could potentially become viable in regions with high direct irradiance levels, such as the Mediterranean region. The main objective of this feasibility study is to investigate whether the installation of CPV parks in the Mediterranean region is economically feasible. The study takes as an example the available solar potential of the island of Cyprus as well as all available data concerning the current renewable energy sources policy of the island. In order to identify the least cost-feasible option for the installation of 1 MW CPV park, a parametric cost–benefit analysis is carried out by varying the CPV park capital investment, the discount rate and the CO₂ emission trading scheme price. The results indicate that in the case where no feed-in tariff scheme is available, the capital expenditure of the CPV park is a critical parameter for the financial viability of the project.     

Parametric cost–benefit analysis for the installation of photovoltaic parks in the island of Cyprus

In this work a feasibility study is carried out in order to investigate whether the installation of large photovoltaic (PV) parks in Cyprus, in the absence of relevant feed-in tariff or other measures, is economically feasible. The study takes into account the available solar potential of the island of Cyprus as well as all available data concerning current renewable energy sources (RES) policy of the Cyprus Government and the current RES electricity purchasing tariff from Electricity Authority of Cyprus. In order to identify the least-cost feasible option for the installation of 1 MW PV park a parametric cost–benefit analysis is carried out by varying parameters such as PV park orientation, PV park capital investment, carbon dioxide emission trading system price, etc. For all above cases the electricity unit cost or benefit before tax, as well as after-tax cash flow, net present value, internal rate of return and payback period are calculated. The results indicate that capital expenditure of the PV park is a critical parameter for the viability of the project when no feed-in tariff is available.     

Analysis of distributed-generation photovoltaic deployment,installation time and cost,market barriers,and policies in China

Beginning in 2013, China's photovoltaic (PV) market-development strategy witnessed a series of policy changes aimed at making distributed-generation PV (DG PV) development an equal priority with large-scale PV development. This article reviews the DG PV policy changes since 2013 and examines their effect on China's domestic DG PV market. Based on a 2014 survey of DG PV market and policy participants, we present cost and time breakdowns for installing DG PV projects in China, and we identify the main barriers to DG PV installation. We also use a cash flow model to determine the relative economic attractiveness of DG PV in several eastern provinces in China. The main factors constraining DG PV deployment in China include financial barriers resulting from the structure of the self-consumption feed-in tariff (FIT), ambivalence about DG PV within grid companies, complicated ownership structures for buildings/rooftops/businesses, and the inherent time lag in policy implementation from the central government to provincial and local governments. We conclude with policy implications and suggestions in the context of DG PV policy changes the Chinese government implemented in September 2014.     

Energy production from PV and carbon reduction in great lakes region of Masuria Poland: A case study of water park in Elk

The aim of the installation of photovoltaic panels in the object of the Water Park was to use the possibility of supporting the production of electricity using solar energy. The article shows the adopted technological solution installation of photovoltaic and presents the results of the analysis of plant performance in real conditions, not just computational theory. The analysis of the installation work was performed on the basis of monitoring of operating parameters conducted in 2012–2013. The use of photovoltaic helped reduce CO₂, SO₂, NO_x and dust emissions into the atmosphere on the value of installed power and reduce the amount of electricity drawn from the network (In Poland still based on coal and lignite).The results of energy and environmental analysis show the validity of installation of photovoltaic in objects like Water Parks.Energy and environmental effects combine necessarily the economic effects. It also helps to promote the local market to other forms of energy generation as well as improves the energy security of the Warmia and Mazury province, as well as part of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), which has lead to coordination of activities towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.     

Methodology for the design optimisation and the economic analysis of grid-connected photovoltaic systems

In this study, a methodology for the design optimisation and the economic analysis of photovoltaic grid-connected systems (PVGCSs) is presented. The purpose of the proposed methodology is to suggest, among a list of commercially available system devices, the optimal number and type of system devices and the optimal values of the photovoltaic (PV) module installation details, such that the total net economic benefit achieved during the system operational lifetime period is maximised. The decision variables included in the optimisation process are the optimal number and type of the PV modules and the DC/AC converters, the PV modules optimal tilt angle, the optimal arrangement of the PV modules within the available installation area and the optimal distribution of the PV modules among the DC/AC converters. The economic viability of the resulting PVGCS configuration is explored according to the net present value, the discounted payback period and the internal rate of return methods. The proposed method has been applied for the optimal design of a PVGCS interconnected to the electric network of an island with significant solar irradiation potential and the corresponding optimal sizing and economic analysis results are presented.     

Estimation of the energy of a PV generator using artificial neural network

The integration of grid-connected photovoltaic (GCPVS) systems into urban buildings is very popular in industrialized countries. Many countries enhance the international collaboration efforts which accelerate the development and deployment of photovoltaic solar energy as a significant and sustainable renewable energy option. A previous method, based on artificial neural networks (ANNs), has been developed to electrical characterisation of PV modules. This method was able to generate V–I curves of si-crystalline PV modules for any irradiance and module cell temperature. The results showed that the proposed ANN introduced a good accurate prediction for si-crystalline PV modules performance when compared with the measured values. Now, this method, based on ANNs, is going to be applied to obtain a suitable value of the power provided by a photovoltaic installation. Specifically this method is going to be applied to obtain the power provided by a particular installation, the “Univer generator”, since modules used in these works were the same as the ones used in this photovoltaic generator.     

A review of the photovoltaic industry and its development in Africa

This article presents an overview of the commercialisation experiences of photovoltaics and draws some conclusion from the past and applies them to the future. In particular, the development for this industry in Africa is examined to identify the areas of strength and potential as well as the necessary infrastructure—for production, distribution and installation in order to support its growth. The question of capital requirement versus the efficiency of photovoltaics is highlighted and the reliabilty factor is analysed. As a result of examining the past, three issues seem crucial for the future development of photovoltaics, especially in Africa: (1) technology development; (2) education; (3) finance. These issues are addressed and their interdependence and impact on the use of photovoltaics are explored. The success stories of several photovoltaic companies in Africa, in spite of their problems, can be a source of optimism for the future contribution of this industry to the improved quality of life and economic growth as well as the employment opportunities on this continent. Finally, a method of co-operation between research in photovoltaics at the universities and local industry is proposed as part of the Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure necessary for the technical support of this field.     

Demand side management in Nepal

The objective of this paper is to identify the most cost-effective areas for Demand Side Management (DSM) in Nepal. On-site interviews were undertaken with power utilities (the Nepal Electricity Authority or NEA and its sub-companies) and various electricity end-users in Nepal to collect data, as well as walk-through auditing at the end-users’ premises. International standard financial and economic analysis methodologies were used to project cost-effectiveness assessments. This paper concludes that the majority of the potential DSM technologies in Nepal are financially viable and that the most cost-effective areas for DSM technologies in Nepal include power factor (cos ϕ) correction; energy-efficient lighting in the residential and commercial sectors; and the installation of intelligent motor controllers for industrial induction motors.     

Rural area power supply in Nigeria: A cost comparison of the photovoltaic, diesel/gasoline generator and grid utility options

A large proportion of the population of Nigeria reside in the rural communities. In this work, the financial costs of providing centralized (photovoltaic) PV generating system of various capacities—to satisfy different load requirements—in a remote village in Nigeria is compared with the cost of grid extension over a distance of 1.8 km. Comparison is also made with the centralised diesel generator power supply option. In addition, the costs of decentralised PV home systems are compared with those of decentralised gasoline generator systems. For all the systems, the initial capital costs and the life cycle costs over a 20-year life cycle are reported. Sensitivity analysis was performed using variations in module costs, diesel fuel prices and grid extension distance. The results suggest that PV has a remarkable potential as a cost-effective option for low-power electrical energy supply to the rural communities in the country.     

An economic analysis of a clean-development mechanism project: a case introducing a natural gas-fired combined heat-and-power facility in a Chinese industrial area

A case study of the installation of a combined heat-and-power (CHP) facility as a potential clean-development mechanism (CDM) project in an industrial area in China was undertaken using a newly developed mathematical programming model. The model was developed to optimize the installation capacity of the CHP under constraints on electricity-and-heat supply and demand balances, etc. Energy cost and emissions of CO₂ and SO_x were also calculated with the model. Parametric surveys were carried out for natural gas and CHP capital prices, which inherently include large uncertainties; the resultant calculations revealed that in some cases the CHP would be voluntarily (i.e., without financial support from an investor's country) introduced in China, and that in some cases the CHP could be certified as a CDM project with financial support by the investor country. In some combinations of parameters, the value of CO₂ emission reduction credit offsets the CHP capital price, although shared allocation of economic profits yielded by the CDM project between the two countries greatly mitigated the restraints on the project, while at the same time qualifying it for the CDM.     

Powering T&D sectionalizing switches with photovoltaics: a lowcost option

A joint utility-industry project which involved the installation of new, or the rebuilding of existing, transmission and distribution (T&D) sectionalizing switches powered by photovoltaic (PV) applications at a number of electric utilities is documented. The sectionalizing switch project is described, and PV and conventional power supplies for the switches are discussed. Utility switch installations are detailed and project results are given     

New electricity construction materials for roofs and façades

At present 1.7 MW_p roofs and façades have been installed world wide using the Atlantis photovoltaic (PV) construction materials. These examples have contributed to the general acceptance of PV in the build environment particularly among architects.A new milestone for the generation of solar electricity was set with the novel SUNSLATES^™ roofing and façade system, which was introduced into the market in summer 1997 [1]. The combination of improved aesthetic design — the SUNSLATES^™ can hardly be distinguished from ordinary shingles of slate roofs — and dramatic cost savings are the most important features. These result from virtually eliminating support structures, installation and engineering costs in addition to mass production of standardized elements.The flexibility of SUNSLATES^™ to fit conventional roof designs of various shapes opens the door to its wide spread application. Even roofs of circular and rhomboid like shape have been realized. Further the SUNSLATES^™ have been combined with different types of roofing materials.During the past months SUNSLATES^™ systems have been installed in different countries such as Switzerland, Germany and the USA. A first Japanese project has been realized on the occasion of the Kyoto Conference in December 1997 near Osaka. In Sacramento, California, Atlantis Energy LTD has been selected to install more than 1000 roofs with SUNSLATES^™ as a part of the SMUD initiative. Fig. 1 shows a roof integration of SUNSLATES^™ in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.Even in Switzerland with a population of only seven million inhabitants, about 10–14 km² of roofs and façades are built or refinished every year. The estimated market for SUNSLATES^™ on these roofs and façades is in the order of 2 mill. m2/year, which would represent an installed capacity of 200 MW/y. Neither technical nor aesthetical obstacles remain against building up a gigantic world wide market for PV roofing systems.     

薄膜型海上漂浮式光伏技术现状及展望

[目的]海上漂浮式光伏的研究开发顺应国家能源战略发展的需要,迎合行业发展科技引领的背景,助力新兴经济产业链的开拓。为了深入探索海上漂浮式光伏系统的主要组成和核心技术,为我国发展海上漂浮式光伏提供理论依据。[方法]文章基于国内外关于海上漂浮式光伏的现有研究,提炼出柔性光伏的相关建设技术,验证了海上漂浮式光伏开发的商业可行性,介绍了大型海上漂浮式光伏(LOFPV)系统的配置组成并就柔性膜结构、系泊系统的水动力设计理论和方法依据进行了阐述,展示了海上漂浮式光伏的典型工程实践。[结果]海上柔性薄膜型漂浮式光伏具备轻质化、小型化、高换电效率、配置灵活等诸多优势,此外,膜结构可折叠,运输方便,安装便捷,整体结构无复杂衔接器,系统可靠性高,运维方便,文章的相关成果将对我国的海上漂浮式光伏技术发展具有较高借鉴价值。[结论]文章说明了柔性膜结构漂浮式光伏建造技术的功能性和可靠性,该结构型式未来必将是海上漂浮式光伏的重要应用型式。     

Implementation of PV plants in Spain: A case study

The implementation process of a photovoltaic system and its connection to the national grid in Spain is examined from an economic, an administrative and a legal standpoint. In the first place, this case study describes the solar farm, and it goes on to examine the economic aspects of electricity production, its associated costs, and relevant grants and financial subsidies. Finally, problems related to the administration of the project and the issuing of permits by local and regional authorities are discussed.     

An innovation management approach for renewable energy deployment—the case of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology

In the discussion of renewable energy deployment, one key concern is the various types of barriers that renewable energy needs to overcome before it can make its way into the mainstream. These barriers increasingly shift from the technical to the economic and institutional. The most general types of barriers are due to technological ‘lock-out’ or to carbon ‘lock-in’ [Unruh, G., 2000. Understanding carbon lock-in. Energy Policy 28(12), 817–830 (Elsevier)].These barriers necessitate the development of a strategic approach to deploy or introduce renewable energy technology. Existing energy policy has mostly relied upon financial subsidies, market-based instruments such as renewable portfolio standards, and production tax credits to stimulate the installation and use of equipment to generate electricity from renewable sources. These strategies target mostly system-level decisions of end users.The purpose of this paper is to present an innovation perspective on the renewable energy deployment process by introducing the innovation value-added chain (IVC) framework. The analytical objective of IVC is to evaluate the impact of a new innovation on the various stakeholders and players in the development and deployment processes. A deployment or innovation strategy that causes minimal disruption, enhances existing competencies, or expedites new learning by the players has a higher chance to succeed.We draw upon two sets of system integration costs data for grid-connected distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems in Japan and the United States and demonstrate conspicuously different dynamic learning behaviors. These two deployment models can be understood in terms of how the IVCs are organized and how PV system integration projects are performed in the field. In addition, IVC-based findings can inform the targeted application of conventional financial subsidies for learning investment not only at the PV system level, but also at the (localized) system integration level. This would involve other stakeholders, thus suggesting new energy policy space. We highlight some future research directions using the IVC framework.