Design approach for photovoltaic power stations for demand-side requirements and competitive energy cost

Abstract

[Abstract]: Photovoltaic (PV) plants can be constructed of different sizes capable of delivering the same rated power, however for different operation times. A scoping-factor is being introduced reflecting the peak power the plant is able to supply. The presented design approach allows determining the resulting energy cost on the basis of manufacturing cost of solar cells, solar cell efficiency, other system cost and utilization factor (plant capacity factor). Similarly, due to competitive energy environment this method allows determining required design parameters, such as solar cell efficiency, allowable plant component cost, size of the photovoltaic plant etc. The impact of the scoping factor on the plant capacity factor, the cost of the installed power and on the cost of the produced energy is discussed.