Residential photovoltaics applications: the relevance of non-technical issues

摘要

This work investigates the relevance of non-technical issues of PV systems in residential applications. The points of view of different groups - consumers, utilities, society, and others (e.g. architects) - are taken into account. Each group may have different benefits and different costs. Of major interest is what influences consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) of PV systems. This argues that technical reliability, environmental benignness, affordability, and other non-technical issues are more important than simplified economic assessments using "artificial" interest rates. Therefore, progress has to be made with respect to (i) further reduction in investment costs especially for non-module cost components; (ii) an enhancement of technical reliability and system efficiency, and (iii) system standardization, e.g. module-integrated inverters. The most important conclusion is that governments, municipalities, utilities, and others like NGOs should offer joint and coordinated programs. Then the overall effect could lead to a cost reduction as well as to a removal of other barriers and to an increase in the motivation of consumers to purchase a PV system.