Photovoltaic Solar Systems in Multi-Headquarter Institutions: A Technical Implementation in Northeastern Brazil

Hélio Henrique Cunha Pinheiro, Neilton Fidélis da Silva, David Alves Castelo Branco and Marcio Pereira
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Hélio Henrique Cunha Pinheiro: Energy Planning Program (PPE/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-914, Brazil
Neilton Fidélis da Silva: Energy Planning Program (PPE/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-914, Brazil
David Alves Castelo Branco: Energy Planning Program (PPE/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-914, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-28

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 .

Keywords: photovoltaic; multi-headquarters; dispersion; centralization; payback (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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