Abstract
The use of photovoltaic solar technology is increasingly widespread and consolidated worldwide, gaining significant interest in Brazil. Thanks to records of gradual photovoltaic system price decreases and the construction of legal frameworks favorable to their diffusion, urban and rural residential consumers, service companies, industries, and the government are progressively adhering to the use of this technology. In this context, it is important that institutions and companies with multiheadquarters discern whether it is more advantageous, from both a technical and economic point of view, to disperse photovoltaic systems throughout all of their headquarters or to centralize them in the offices presenting the best energy efficiency. The present study aims at answering this question. To this end, indicators recorded in the Institute of Education Science and Technology (IFRN)-Solar Project implemented by the Rio Grande do Norte Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, in Brazil, where 2 MWp of photovoltaic solar energy are installed in 19 of its 22 headquarters, were evaluated. The PVWatts Software, energy measurements at the different plant installation locations and technical performance parameters recurrent in the literature, as well as the Discounted Payback Method were used herein. The results indicate that system centralization in the best-evaluated sites (7 campi) will, in 25 years, provide a 9.07% energy supply gain, a 112.96% financial gain, and a payback reduction of 8.9 years when compared to the alternative comprising generation unit dispersion throughout the 19 campi.
Highlights
The growing demands for electric energy arising from the current development and production model based on a post-industrial society is the driving force behind the constant search for a guaranteed energy supply
In addition to the reality experienced by the IFRN-Solar project, of plants implemented in a decentralized manner in 19 headquarters, this study considers a further two scenarios, allowing for assessments concerning probable energy generation gains and, financial returns earned when simulating photovoltaic system redistribution in locations presenting better energy yields
The following parameters were applied for the energy analysis: (i) Corrected Reference Yield (YCR ); (ii) Final Yield (YF ), (iii) Performance Ratio (PR); (iv) Capacity Factor (CF); and (v) Global System
Summary
The growing demands for electric energy arising from the current development and production model based on a post-industrial society is the driving force behind the constant search for a guaranteed energy supply These demands operate by configuring, demanding, and providing feedback to the electrical industry, since they result from a production process that is continuously sustained and reproduced due to an incessant desire for energy. In this context, the development and use of renewable energy conversion technologies is the result of choices defined in both socioeconomic and political dispute spaces and are guided by natural conditions (resources) and by current economic model tension and interests. New installed capacity records and technological innovations and improvements are achieved worldwide
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