Economic feasibility analysis of choices for not connected clients: photovoltaic off-grid systems, compared to grid based system

摘要

Off-grid photovoltaic systems are less constrained by national regulations than their grid-connected counterparts. Off-grid systems do not depend on feed-in tariff and the analysis of their cost-efficiency is more stable along time. This work calculates the economic parameters for two different technologies of photovoltaic systems and compares the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), with the price of the electricity, including the cost for the connection of the system related to the distance to the grid. The results show that the sustained decline in photovoltaic module¿s price contributes to subsequent decline in LCOE, whereas the increase in the price of grid electricity and materials related to the connection makes off-grid systems more cost-effective for remote areas. Finally, to determine if the photovoltaic system could be an economic alternative for investments in remote regions, a comparison between the cost of grid extension and the LCOE of a high capacity photovoltaic system was undertaken.