CAN PV OR SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS BE COST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF REDUCING CO{sub}2 EMISSIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS?

摘要

This paper compares two solar systems, an actual building integrated, photovoltaic roof (BIPV) and a notional solar thermal system for a residential block in London, UK. The carbon payback for the solar thermal system is 2 years, the BIPV system has a carbon payback of 6 years. Simple economic payback times for both systems are more than 50 years. Calculations considering the current UK energy price increase (10%/yr), reduce the economic payback time for the PV roof to under 30 years. The costs to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions using a BIPV roof are ￡196/tonne CO{sub}2, solar thermal individual systems at ￡65/tonne CO{sub}2 and community solar thermal at ￡38/tonne CO{sub}2. The current spot market price for CO{sub}2 is ￡15/tonne CO{sub}2 (20). Capital costs for PV systems in particular must be significantly reduced for them to be a cost-effective way to reduce CO{sub}2.