Electricity Generation Technologies Research Articles

Life cycle assessment of a floating offshore wind farm in Italy

Mitigation of climate change requires consistent actions toward the reduction of emissions from the energy sector: in the last years, renewable energy technologies, such as wind power, have become a cost-effective option to pursue the transition to low emission systems for power generation. Offshore wind energy can provide access to additional wind resources, also overcoming some issues related to onshore wind deployments such as land-use competition and social acceptability. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology can be used to gain insight into the environmental performances of different technologies, e.g. renewable energy generation technologies, along the lifecycle stages and across a number of impact categories. This paper reports the cradle-to-grave LCA of a floating offshore wind farm, consisting of 190 wind turbines with 14.7 MW rated power, intended to be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. The employed technology is represented by the IEA 15 MW reference wind turbine supported by the reference semi-submersible platform. The selected functional unit is the delivery of 1 GWh of electricity to the onshore grid and the impact assessment method is the EPD (version 2018), which is usually used for the creation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and considers 8 impact categories. The results of the analysis show that the supply of raw materials, especially steel, for aerogenerators and floaters is the most significant contributor to the overall potential impacts in all the impact categories, except for abiotic depletion of elements, where power cables are the hotspot. In the perspective of decarbonisation, the estimated carbon intensity is 31 g CO2eq/kWh and so it results competitive with other low emissions electricity generation technologies. To compare the estimated global warming impacts to other studies, some harmonisations efforts on capacity factor and lifetime of turbines are made. Moreover, the wind farm performance has been evaluated in terms of carbon and energy payback time, estimated in 2 and 3 years respectively, showing a substantial benefit when compared to the expected 30-year lifetime. As a conclusion, despite the number of approximations and conservative assumptions, floating offshore wind power, represented by the modelled case study, can be considered a promising technology and has been found to be already competitive with other renewable electricity generation technologies. Future research should address the uncertainty rooted to the data: repeating the analysis relying on the executive project, and therefore on a more detailed modelling, would help to get more accurate results.

A multicriteria decision-making approach for prioritizing renewable energy resources for sustainable electricity generation in Benin

Benin’s rapid population, economic, and industrial growth will increase energy demand. Hence, Benin’s government is keen to increase its power capacity to meet future demand. Renewable energy sources are significant options that governments could explore when developing their sustainable energy strategies. Prioritizing energy sources for a country’s sustainable development requires a decision-making process. In this study, multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are used to prioritize alternatives such as solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), wind energy, hydropower, and bioenergy suitable for sustainable electrification in Benin. The study employed eighteen (18) criteria classified under the four pillars of sustainability (technical, social, economic, and environmental) to evaluate the alternatives. Thereafter, the criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) and entropy methods, which were employed to compute criteria weights and incorporated into the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) method to rank the alternatives. The findings from the EDAS rankings show that solar PV is the optimal alternative, ranking in the first position, followed by wind energy in the second position. CSP, hydropower, and bioenergy rank in the third, fourth, and fifth positions. In addition, EDAS findings correlated fully with those of other MCDM approaches evaluated on the same decision matrix. This indicates that solar PV is Benin’s optimal technology for sustainable electricity generation. The study’s findings are critical for policymakers developing Benin’s renewable energy sector.

Application of modern portfolio theory to the European electricity mix: an assessment of environmentally optimal scenarios

The proposed study analyzes the efficiency of the European energy mix of electricity generation technologies from two perspectives: environmental and economic. The context is that of European energy dependence and a technology mix conditioned by the import of fossil fuels. The impact is centered, among other elements, on the leakage of national income and the emission of polluting gases. The aim is to determine the participation that each type of power plant in each country should present in order to minimize the total environmental impact. In order to solve this problem, a double optimization is proposed through the use of two methodologies: one based on a multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) model with which to evaluate the environmental performance of each power plant, and a second optimization based on a quadratic model of portfolios modern portfolio theory (MPT), with which to evaluate the efficiency of the portfolio of technologies from the cost/risk binomial. The results confirm that an environmentally efficient portfolio leads to higher levels of economic risk-taking, with a slight increase in the level of assumed cost. Nevertheless, from the results obtained, it is possible to say that hydro (with a share between 11 and 13%) and wind (37–44% mix participation) technologies resulted to be preferred options both environmentally and in terms of minimum risk efficiency. Nuclear power generation stands out as one of the main baseload technologies with shares between 25 and 35% in environmental and cost/risk efficiency. As main findings, Hydro, supercritical lignite, solar PV and wind are identified as preferential technologies to be present in both minimum risk and minimum cost efficient portfolios. In case European Union pursues for minimizing the cost of electricity production, the shares of supercritical lignite, nuclear, solar PV and wind energy go up to the maximum allowed limits. The novelty lies in the application of both methodologies with which to complement the analysis and design efficient portfolios of energy technologies from environmental and economic points of view. One possible future approach would be to assess (with the MPT model) new environmentally optimal portfolios obtained through the application of other MCDM techniques.

Unidimensional and 3D Analyses of a Radial Inflow Turbine for an Organic Rankine Cycle under Design and Off-Design Conditions

The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is an efficient technology for electricity generation from low- and medium-temperature heat sources. In this type of power cycle, the radial inflow turbine is the option usually selected for electricity generation. As a critical ORC component, turbine performance markedly affects the efficiency of the system. Therefore, the challenge is to model the behavior of the radial inflow turbine operating with organic fluids for heat recovery applications. In this context, various groups of fluids are highlighted in the scientific literature, including R-123, R-245fa, and R-141b, which are the fluids used in this research. Since little research has focused on the turbine efficiency effect on the power cycle design and analysis, this study presents an analysis of a radial inflow turbine based on a mathematical model of a one-dimensional design of the turbine. From this analysis, geometric, thermal, and operating parameters were determined, as well as volute, stator, and rotor losses. For this purpose, an algorithm was implemented in MATLAB to calculate the one-dimensional parameters of the turbine. Using these parameters, a 3D model of the turbine was designed in ANSYS-CFX, with performance curves of each projected turbine under design and off-design conditions. The numerical results suggest that the isentropic efficiency of all the proposed turbines under design conditions can surpass 75%. Additionally, the findings indicate that different design conditions, such as specific speed, pressure ratio, and turbine size, can affect the efficiency of radial inflow turbines in ORC systems.

Might future electricity generation suffice to meet the global demand?

Electricity supply is one of the critical issues in the energy field. Due to the high shares of greenhouse gases emissions, the electricity sector is experiencing a transition towards a progressively wider use of low-carbon technologies. At the same time, electrification of end-use sectors is identified as one of the most suitable mitigation strategies, although requiring larger electricity production. This paper relates the historical development trends for installed capacity of electricity production technologies to the theory of the S-curves, building a method to depict plausible developments in the electricity sector. Projections are performed considering the existence of an upper limit for industrial capacity development, and according to a path envisaging a revolutionary, an evolutionary and a maturity phase for technologies showing considerable growth trends. Oppositely, stagnation is taken into account for those not showing any remarkable progress. The computed curves are used to perform forecasts about electricity generation potentials until 2050, showing how the projected growth trend of electricity generation technologies would result in a production sufficient to meet the expected global demand, even excluding the contribution of fossil fuels in some cases. In perspective, the presented method can be applied to retrieve maximum capacity constraints for energy system models.

Assessment of the Current State of Photovoltaic Panel Mounting Systems and Related Concerns in Northern Cyprus

Abstract The efficiency of energy resources and the research and development of electricity generation technologies from renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important as the use of renewable energy has increased. Northern Cyprus has undertaken attempts to boost the use of renewable energy sources and reduce its reliance on petroleum-based products, similar to many other countries, and as a result, Solar energy utilization has recently grown in this country. This article assesses the current state of PV panel mounting systems and related concerns in Northern Cyprus. In this regard, extensive and reliable data were collected from five distinct sources including authorities, ministries, stakeholders, and inspections. The current state of PV panel mounting systems was evaluated based on data analysis, and the main weaknesses, major concerns, and critical problems were identified. Ultimately, two fundamental recommendations were made to overcome the identified problems. First, developing stringent guidelines to properly use renewable energy sources while minimizing side effects and unwanted losses, second, considering quality control and strict supervision to inspect the implementation of standards.

Smart Grid Communication Networks for Electric Vehicles Empowering Distributed Energy Generation: Constraints, Challenges, and Recommendations

Modern communication networks and digital control techniques are used in a smart grid. The first step is to classify the features of several communication networks and conduct a comparative investigation of the communication networks applicable to the smart grid. The integration of distributed generation has significantly increased as the global energy demand rises, and sustainable energy for electric vehicles and renewable energies worldwide are being pursued. Additional explanations for this surge include environmental concerns, the reforming of the power sector, and the advancing of small-scale electricity generation technologies. Smart monitoring and control of interconnected systems are required to successfully integrate distributed generation into an existing conventional power system. Electric-vehicles-based smart grid technologies are capable of playing this part. Smart grids are crucial to avoid becoming locked in an obsolete energy infrastructure and to draw in new investment sources and build an effective and adaptable grid system. To achieve reliability and high-quality power systems, it is also necessary to apply intelligent grid technologies at the bulk power generation and transmission levels. This paper presents smart grid applicable communication networks and electric vehicles empowering distributed generation systems. Additionally, we address some constraints and challenges and make recommendations that will give proper guidelines for academicians and researchers to resolve the current issues.

Design, commissioning and operation of a mini hybrid parabolic trough solar thermal power plant for direct steam generation

Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTCs) are the most mature, reliable and widespread among Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies for electricity generation. The conventional power plants relying on PTCs use synthetic oil as Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) which has limited life span, has limited operation temperature, is expensive and harmful to the environment. In the present research work, a new perspective has been developed to directly generate steam in the collectors, eliminating the need for HTF in the solar field and avoiding auxiliary heat exchangers. A mini hybrid Direct Steam Generation PTC power plant having a boiler as a backup that can be operated with biogas or natural gas is installed at Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tunis (ENIT) within the framework of REELCOOP project (Renewable ELectricity COOPeration). The description, commissioning and operation of the solar plant are presented in this paper. The plant is designed and tested under real-life operating conditions in the south Mediterranean region. The feasibility of the DSG process in horizontal parabolic trough collectors has been confirmed and an important know how has been acquired regarding the operation of DSG solar plant. The main instructions for the operation of the solar plant have been presented including start-up and shutdown procedures of the plant, as well as the safety measures to be considered.The development of this plant is aimed to address the challenge of coupling intermittent solar radiation and the presence of a two-phase fluid in the absorber tubes. An important know how has been acquired regarding the operation of DSG solar plants in solar only mode and in hybrid mode which allowed to balance strengths and weaknesses of solar and biogas/natural gas technologies. By combining both systems, we have tackled the problem of the controllability of the energy supply while exploiting as much as possible renewable sources.

Assessment of Green House Gas Emissions from Thermal Technologies for Electricity Generation in Cameroon Using Life Cycle Analysis Method

Assessment of Green House Gas Emissions from Thermal Technologies for Electricity Generation in Cameroon Using Life Cycle Analysis Method

ЗЕЛЕНЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ КАК АЛЬТЕРНАТИВА ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ УГЛЕВОДОРОДНЫХ РЕСУРСОВ

The article discusses the prospects for the use of green technologies in the face of an unfavorable geopolitical situation and sanctions announced by Russia, which led to a shortage in the energy market. Renewable energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, biofuels and others, are the main focus of the transition to a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy system. Wind and solar PV can reduce the European energy sector's dependence on Russian gas in 2023. Russia supplies about 45 % of the gas imported by the European Union for industry, housing and electricity generation. For electricity generation, natural gas accounts for about 16 % of the group's total electricity demand. Over the past decade, natural gas-fired electricity generation has ranged from 340 to 600 kWh per year, depending on pricing and demand for wind and solar photovoltaic systems. The paper provides an analysis of the average annual energy production on natural gas for individual EU countries. An overview of the change in the price range of biofuels is presented. Uncertainty factors in the construction of economic forecasts are indicators related to fuel, raw materials and the policy of prices for oil and biofuels. Energy and food security, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are all in constant flux, which also introduces many uncertainties into forecasts. As conclusions on the topic of the work, it was noted that high prices for fossil fuels have increased the competitiveness of electricity generation technologies from renewable sources compared to coal-fired and natural gas power plants. However, despite their potential, accelerating the growth of new renewable energy capacity depends largely on a stable policy environment that provides long-term revenue certainty.

Life cycle sustainability assessment and circularity of geothermal power plants

Geothermal power generation is expected to increase fivefold worldwide by 2040 compared to 2018. The upcoming growth of geothermal power plants (GPPs) requires assessments of its role in tackling climate change and other impacts within complex environmental, economic and social systems. This study presents the first literature review of GPPs, including comparisons among different GPP technologies, based on life cycle sustainability and circular economy perspectives. A total of 76 core literature studies on geothermal-related topics are reviewed, including technology choices, and critically discussed in terms of their environmental, economic, social and circular economy aspects. Firstly, seven life cycle environmental impact indicators (global warming, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, ozone depletion, photochemical oxidation, and cumulative energy demand) are compared both within GPP technologies and to other conventional electricity generation technologies (such as coal and hydro). Secondly, economic sustainability is considered via life cycle costing, and the results show that geothermal could be economically competitive when compared to solar photovoltaic (PV), hydro, and even wind energy sources. Thirdly, social aspects are discussed considering 15 articles that evaluated concerns such as public acceptance, technology safety and local employment rate, although none rigorously considered a life cycle approach. Lastly, a total of 12 articles were found linking the circular economy with GPPs and elaborating on some of the ‘9Rs’ framework. To improve the effectiveness of future research, studies should focus on fulfilling major data gaps in literature such as the lack of detailed documentation for specific materials and background process choices in life cycle assessment databases. The development of GPPs can be an important alternative in efforts to decrease climate change impacts and pursue cleaner energy sources in countries where geothermal energy is more easily available.

Social acceptance of renewable energy development in southern Spain: Exploring tendencies, locations, criteria and situations

Although, in general, there is a high level of public acceptance of renewable energies (RE) in Spain, at a local scale, protests and campaigns against RE projects are becoming increasingly frequent. In order to identify the factors that most influence the acceptance/rejection of renewable electricity generation technologies (photovoltaic, wind and biomass) at a local level, in this study we conducted a structured survey of the population of the province of Jaén in southern Spain. The analysis of the results of the questionnaire reveals that the social acceptance of RE plants is influenced by their location and size, and identifies the main criteria and situations that people take into consideration when deciding whether to support or reject RE projects. Although the results suggest that all RE technologies are widely accepted, they also highlight a preference for photovoltaic energy and for medium-sized plants in sites with low natural value. This article provides information and recommendations to facilitate the drafting of policies, plans and future studies that will enable social barriers to the implementation of RE technologies to be reduced, so helping accelerate the energy transition that is required in order for agreed climate targets to be met.

Long Term Planning of Macedonian Electricity Supply

In the paper alternatives for expansion of the Macedonian electricity supply system are presented. MESSAGE tool is used for modelling the system, for developing the scenarios, to analyse cost optimal energy pathways and to determine the optimal electricity generation technology mix. The calculations for the period 2020-2050 are made in a 5-year interval. Two scenarios are developed: Scenario 1 – BAU (Business as Usual) scenario, where the current energy structure prevailed, with trends like the current development. The electricity demand is satisfied by coal-fired thermal power plants, gas-fired thermal power plants, hydro power plants and renewable power plants. Scenario 2 – Green scenario, where gas-fired thermal power plants and nuclear power representative with small modular reactors are base load technologies, and also intensive construction of production capacities on renewable energy sources is forced. By making further analysis, the possibility of flexibility in the construction of new facilities within the interval, economic indicators, and appropriate impact on the environment are obtained. In order to make an economic analysis for a particular technology, calculations are made for parameters that are standard for projects, such as: net present value, benefit – cost ratio, payback period and internal rate of return. The environmental impact is analysed of aspect of CO2 emissions.

Quantifying value and representing competitiveness of electricity system technologies in economic models

Evaluating competition between electricity technologies is challenging because it depends on both their costs and their values. While technology costs can typically be estimated from projections of the cost components—capital, fuel, and O&M—estimating a technology’s value is more complex due to its dependence on its contributions to multiple different grid services, each with prices that can vary substantially over space and time. In this work, using an electricity model of the contiguous United States, we develop relationships between relative value and share of total generation for major electricity generation technologies which, when paired with projections of technology costs, can be used to estimate technology competitiveness. We identify significant differences in the relationship between relative value and generation share for variable renewable energy (VRE) and non-VRE sources, but we demonstrate that all technologies require consideration of their dynamic values (in addition to cost) when evaluating competitiveness. In addition, we demonstrate that relative value of a technology is substantially impacted by not only its own generation share but also other aspects of the system state, in particular the mix of other technologies present in the system. Finally, we use the developed relative value relationships in combination with projections of future technology costs in a coarse resolution model that competes technologies based on a comprehensive competitiveness metric: profitability-adjusted LCOE (PLCOE). We show that this simple representation of technology competition approximately recovers the generation mix from a detailed model, which is not possible using LCOE alone. Such an approach can be used to improve the representation of technology competition in coarse-resolution models such as integrated assessment models, for which simplified metrics are often needed.

Advances on a free-piston Stirling engine-based micro-combined heat and power system

As a promising supplement to traditional central electric generation technologies, a distributed combined heat and power (CHP) system is conducive to renewable energy deployment and mitigation of carbon emissions. Among the candidate technologies, the free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE)-based CHP technology is competitive in micro- or small-scale applications. In this work, the performance of a FPSE-based micro-CHP system is improved through a combination of numerical optimization and experimental validation. First, by using a third-order model and thermoacoustic analysis, the impact of regenerator length, displacer moving mass, and force factor of the alternator on the free-piston Stirling generator (FPSG) inside acoustic field, supplied thermal power and exergy loss is studied numerically. The numerical results indicate a rational increase of the force factor, the regenerator length as well as the displacer moving mass is positive for improving the CHP performance. Based on the numerical optimization, the FPSG prototype is updated accordingly, and adequate measurements of the internal acoustic field of the FPSG have been deployed. Then, a series of experiments are conducted to evaluate the CHP performance of the refurbished FPSG prototype. The experimental results show that the highest CHP efficiency reaches 95.7%, the output electric power is 4.03 kW, and the corresponding thermal-to-electric efficiency is 32.2% when the average temperature of supply and return water is as high as 75 °C. Compared with the work before upgrade, the output electric power and CHP efficiency are improved significantly by 39% and 9.4%, respectively. An insight into the impact of the temperature difference between supply and return water indicates that it has a slight impact on electric power generation, especially under higher charge pressure. In contrast, thermal production exhibits an apparent negative correlation with the temperature difference.

Influence of operation of thermal and fast reactors of the Beloyarsk NPP on the radioecological situation in the cooling pond: Part II, Macrophytes and fish

The influence of waste technological waters of thermal and fast reactors of Beloyarsk NPP (Russia) on the accumulation of 60Co, 90Sr and 137Cs in macrophytes and ichthyofauna of the cooling pond has been studied. Critical radionuclides, routes of their entry into the ecosystem and periods of maximum discharge of radioisotopes into the cooling pond have been determined. It is shown that the technology of electricity generation at the Beloyarsk NPP, based on fast reactors, has a much smaller effect on the release of artificial radionuclides into the environment. Therefore, during the entire period of monitoring studies (1976–2019), the decrease in the specific activity of radionuclides of NPP origin in macrophytes was 13–25800 times, in ichthyofauna 1.5-44.5 times. The maximum discharge of artificial radionuclides into the Beloyarsk reservoir was noted during the period of restoration and decontamination work aimed at eliminating the emergencies at the AMB reactors of NPP. The factors influencing the accumulation of artificial radionuclides in the components of the freshwater ecosystem of the Beloyarsk cooling pond have been determined, including: the physicochemical nature of radioisotopes, their concentration in surface water, the temperature of the aquatic environment, the trophicity of the reservoir, the species of hydrobionts.

Challenges and opportunities in decarbonizing the U.S. energy system

The United States has pledged to develop a 100% carbon-free electric power system by 2035 and a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050. While important advancements have been made in the scale, performance, and economics of clean energy technologies, meeting the nation's ambitious goals will not only require their deployment at scale, but also additional innovation and effective integration of different solutions. Technological developments across the broad suite of low-carbon energy solutions are advancing rapidly, with ongoing innovations in renewable electricity generation, industrial processes, and energy-saving technologies and services, including LED lighting, induction heating, electric vehicles, energy storage solutions, and mobility as a service, plus smart devices, controls, and more efficient and smart buildings. Combining renewable electricity with biotic and abiotic pathways to produce chemicals, fuels, and materials promises to deliver new solutions. Grid-interactive buildings and communities, integrating transportation infrastructure and vehicles, are likely to be significant components of any zero-carbon energy strategy. Low-carbon industrial manufacturing will also make strong contributions to a net-zero economy. While the technical prospects appear promising, variations in the state of infrastructure, jurisdictional and social equity, pollution, economic and socio-cultural constraints, energy resource availability, and supply chain dynamics found in different locations present a range of challenges and demand customized solutions. This paper provides a critical review and offers new insights into the technical, infrastructure, analytic, political, and economic challenges faced in translating the nation's ambitious net-zero-emissions goals into feasible and reliable implementation action plans.

A Prosumer-Oriented, Interoperable, Modular and Secure Smart Home Energy Management System Architecture

As prices on renewable energy electricity generation and storage technologies decrease, previous standard home energy end-users are also becoming producers (prosumers). Together with the increase of Smart Home automation and the need to manage the energy-related interaction between home energy consumers and Smart Grid through different Demand Response approaches, home energy management becomes a complex and multi-faceted problem, calling for an extensible, interoperable and secure solution. This work proposes a modular architecture for building a Smart Home Energy Management System, integrable with existing Home Automation Systems, that considers the use of standard interfaces for data communication, the implementation of security measures for the integration of the different components, as well as the use of semantic web technologies to integrate knowledge and build on it. Our proposal is finally validated through implementation in one real smart home test-bed, evaluating the system from a functional standpoint to demonstrate its ability to support our goals.

Floating solar photovoltaic as virtual battery for reservoir based hydroelectric dams: A solar-hydro nexus for technological transition

This paper presents a policy approach for the technological transition from hydropower to green energy in developing countries. Conventional electricity generation technologies have proven to be a burden on the economy of a country, as they have to depend on fossil fuels to meet their energy needs, such as diesel and gasoline. Pakistan has been taken as a case study to show the growing electricity demand of a developing country that implores major technological initiation. This serves as the assessment of suitability and resource regarding the installation of floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) on reservoirs of hydroelectric dams, thus acting as a virtual battery. Generation from FSPV can complement the hydropower generation in the dry period, consequently meeting the peak demand. In real-time, by employing both technologies at the same substation, hydropower covers the intermittency issues of floating PV technology by improving power quality. Seven dams selected for this study have been analyzed based on their percentage surface area of the reservoir for electricity generation, water conservation, and emission reduction. Tarbela dam has been further analyzed for demonstrating the virtual battery effect by improving the electricity generation profile. The proposed approach meets the electricity needs of about 15.5% of the total population and serves the water need of 2.3 million people in the country.

The economics of deploying distributed solar photovoltaics in developing countries: Some insights from an analysis for Bangladesh

The application of distributed photovoltaics is growing in developing countries due to its declining costs and continued government support. This study analyzes the economics of stylized grid-connected distributed photovoltaics to be implemented in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Bangladesh. An economic model has been developed for the analysis. The model uses hourly data for solar irradiation and potential electricity exchanges between the consumers investing in distributed photovoltaics and the electricity utilities. The study finds that the economics of distributed photovoltaics vary across technology investors/owners, electricity utilities, and society. From consumers' perspective, the economics of distributed photovoltaics depends on the difference in electricity production costs between the photovoltaics technologies implemented and electricity generation technologies used by electricity utilities. The costs of distributed photovoltaics are, however, sensitive to their capital cost, discount rate, and the quality of solar resources. It is also influenced by the size of photovoltaics relative to consumers' electricity load and tariffs to exchange electricity between the electric utilities and the consumers owning distributed photovoltaics. From a national or societal perspective, the deployment of distributed photovoltaics is beneficial even if their environmental benefits are ignored. Considering the improving economics of the technology and the environmental benefits, particularly the climate change and local air quality benefits, countries like Bangladesh, which are endowed with rich solar resources, should enhance the deployment of distributed photovoltaics for their electricity supply.