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Photovoltaic energy generation in Brazil – Cost analysis using coal-fired power plants as comparison

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  • Lacchini, Corrado
  • Dos Santos, João Carlos V.

Abstract

We make a brief analysis of the evolution of photovoltaic systems, highlighting the present situation worldwide and in Brazil. We compare costs of energy generation associated to photovoltaic and to coal-fired power plants. Coal-fired generation represents the eligible choice for the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul, where thermal plants may use locally extracted coal. The production cost of the energy generated with coal is evaluated taking in account the effect of the invisible cost represented by externalities that affect human health. The price evolution of Photovoltaic modules is presented, as well as trends on decreasing costs for new installations. We also calculate the production cost of the AC energy generated by three photovoltaic plants, with different power, derived from a model. The model is used to make sensitive analysis based on the adjustment of some factors that directly affect Brazilian costs such as: insolation, module's custom and transportation taxes, effect of economy of scale, cost of money. A cost comparison is made between the two technologies and some government incentives are proposed to narrow the existing financial gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Lacchini, Corrado & Dos Santos, João Carlos V., 2013. "Photovoltaic energy generation in Brazil – Cost analysis using coal-fired power plants as comparison," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 183-189.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:52:y:2013:i:c:p:183-189
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2012.10.033
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    Cited by:

    1. Zandi, M. & Bahrami, M. & Eslami, S. & Gavagsaz-Ghoachani, R. & Payman, A. & Phattanasak, M. & Nahid-Mobarakeh, B. & Pierfederici, S., 2017. "Evaluation and comparison of economic policies to increase distributed generation capacity in the Iranian household consumption sector using photovoltaic systems and RETScreen software," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 215-222.
    2. Hao-Dong Lv & Jin-Sheng Zhou & Lin Yang & Yi-Ming Li & Lu Liu, 2020. "An accounting of the external environmental costs of coal in Inner Mongolia using the pollution damage method," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 1299-1321, February.
    3. Obara, Shin'ya & Morel Rios, Jorge Ricardo & Okada, Masaki, 2015. "Control of cyclic fluctuations in solid oxide fuel cell cogeneration accompanied by photovoltaics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 994-1008.
    4. Vilaça Gomes, P. & Knak Neto, N. & Carvalho, L. & Sumaili, J. & Saraiva, J.T. & Dias, B.H. & Miranda, V. & Souza, S.M., 2018. "Technical-economic analysis for the integration of PV systems in Brazil considering policy and regulatory issues," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 199-206.
    5. Gholami, Aslan & Saboonchi, Ahmad & Alemrajabi, Ali Akbar, 2017. "Experimental study of factors affecting dust accumulation and their effects on the transmission coefficient of glass for solar applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 466-473.
    6. da Silva Benedito, Ricardo & Zilles, Roberto & Pinho, João Tavares, 2021. "Overcoming the power factor apparent degradation of loads fed by photovoltaic distributed generators," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1364-1375.
    7. Carstens, Danielle Denes dos Santos & Cunha, Sieglinde Kindl da, 2019. "Challenges and opportunities for the growth of solar photovoltaic energy in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 396-404.
    8. Miranda, Raul F.C. & Szklo, Alexandre & Schaeffer, Roberto, 2015. "Technical-economic potential of PV systems on Brazilian rooftops," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 694-713.

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