Tables for the estimation of the internal rate of return of photovoltaic grid-connected systems

✍ Scribed by D.L. Talavera; G. Nofuentes; J. Aguilera; M. Fuentes

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 203 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1364-0321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2005.02.002

✦ Synopsis

A continuous decrease trend in PV costs together with a wide variety of supporting measures have turned photovoltaic grid-connected systems (PVGCS) into a profitable investment when some economic conditions are met. The internal rate of return (IRR) is a meaningful parameter for prospective owners of these PV systems. Nevertheless, this parameter has to be estimated by means of non-analytical methods. This paper presents some easy-to-use tables addressed to estimate the IRR avoiding cumbersome calculations, which is an attractive feature for owners, marketers and designers. Firstly, current and near-term costs of PVGCS are reviewed, together with some financial incentives available at present. This introduces the economic scenario, where the tables are to be used. A short introduction to the economic analysis of these systems provides a solid ground to eventually present the tables intended to the estimation of the IRR. Lastly, three examples demonstrate the use of the tables.