On-Grid Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems for Agricultural Purposes: Comparison of the Potential Benefits Under Three Incentive Schemes

Abstract

Electricity self-consumption represents a key issue to shorten the photovoltaic (PV) systems’ payback period (PBP). To achieve high self-consumption rates, load control or storage systems are commonly used. Water pumping for irrigation is an interesting application that can largely increase the share of PV electricity self-consumption. The main objective of this chapter is to analyze the potential benefits of on-grid photovoltaic water pumping (PVWP) systems compared to those of conventional PV installations without water pumping. Three countries with different incentive schemes for PV installations have been studied: China with feed-in tariff, Italy with investment subsidies and net metering, and Sweden with tax reduction, investment subsidies, and green certificates. Wheat, maize, and potatoes have been chosen as reference crops to investigate the feasibility of PVWP systems as they are some of the most irrigated crops in China, Italy, and Sweden, respectively. The results show that the grid-connected PVWP systems lead to a lower PBP, between 1 and 2 years, compared to PV installations without pumping. Owing to the low cost of electricity and feed-in tariffs, China presented the longest PBP. The PVWP systems in Italy have the shortest PBP mostly due to the more favorable incentive scheme compared to China and Sweden. The PBP of PVWP systems in Sweden is extremely affected by the uncertainty to benefit of the investment subsidies.