Added Values of Photovoltaic Power Systems

Added values of photovoltaic power systems

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Last updated: 26 April 2001

Author(s): Watt, M. Added Values of Photovoltaic Power Systems

Organization: Centre for PV Engineering, University of NSW, Australia

Date of issue: March 2001

Type: Reports IEA PVPS Task 1

Reference: IEA PVPS T1-09:2001

Details: 31 pages, graphs, tables; with references

Download: Open or download this report as PDF file (406 kB)

Available from: Task 1 members

Abstract: The structure, ownership and operation of electricity systems around the world are changing in response to industry restructuring, the availability of new technologies and increasing environmental awareness. At the same time, many countries have yet to provide basic energy services for their populations, particularly in areas not served by the electricity grid. Large-scale, central power generation and distribution which characterized the electricity industry for much of the 20th century is being challenged by new technologies, which are cleaner, faster to deploy and better matched to local requirements. Higher values are being placed on ancillary services, such as power system reliability and voltage stability, so that a simple comparison of energy cost is no longer appropriate as a measure of competitiveness.

Solar photovoltaic electricity is unique amongst the new energy sources for the wide range of energy and non-energy benefits which can be provided, while the use of photovoltaic power systems as an integral part of a building provides the greatest opportunity for exploiting non-energy benefits and for adding value to the photovoltaic power system.
This report documents the potential added values or non-energy benefits photovoltaic power systems can provide, the current state of market development and the key barriers faced by renewable energy technologies generally and photovoltaic power systems in particular. Means by which non-energy benefits may be used to overcome barriers to the use of photovoltaic power systems are then discussed, with specific attention to the use of building integrated photovoltaics.
For more information see also the article in PV Power, Issue 14 PV added values - documented evidence.

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Author(s):	Watt, M.
Organization:	Centre for PV Engineering, University of NSW, Australia
Date of issue:	March 2001
Type:	Reports IEA PVPS Task 1
Reference:	IEA PVPS T1-09:2001
Details:	31 pages, graphs, tables; with references
Download:	Open or download this report as PDF file (406 kB)
Available from:	Task 1 members
Abstract:	The structure, ownership and operation of electricity systems around the world are changing in response to industry restructuring, the availability of new technologies and increasing environmental awareness. At the same time, many countries have yet to provide basic energy services for their populations, particularly in areas not served by the electricity grid. Large-scale, central power generation and distribution which characterized the electricity industry for much of the 20th century is being challenged by new technologies, which are cleaner, faster to deploy and better matched to local requirements. Higher values are being placed on ancillary services, such as power system reliability and voltage stability, so that a simple comparison of energy cost is no longer appropriate as a measure of competitiveness.
	Solar photovoltaic electricity is unique amongst the new energy sources for the wide range of energy and non-energy benefits which can be provided, while the use of photovoltaic power systems as an integral part of a building provides the greatest opportunity for exploiting non-energy benefits and for adding value to the photovoltaic power system. This report documents the potential added values or non-energy benefits photovoltaic power systems can provide, the current state of market development and the key barriers faced by renewable energy technologies generally and photovoltaic power systems in particular. Means by which non-energy benefits may be used to overcome barriers to the use of photovoltaic power systems are then discussed, with specific attention to the use of building integrated photovoltaics. For more information see also the article in PV Power, Issue 14 PV added values - documented evidence.