Chapter 9: Economics of Solar Power Systems

Introduction

Perhaps the most important task of a solar power engineer is to conduct preliminary engineering and financial feasibility studies, which are necessary for establishing an actual project design. The essence of the feasibility study is to evaluate and estimate the power generation and cost of installation for the life span of the project. The feasibility study is conducted as a first step in determining the limitations of the solar project s power production and return on investment, without expending a substantial amount of engineering and labor effort. The steps needed to conduct the preliminary engineering and financial study are presented in this chapter.

Preliminary Engineering Design

Conduct a field survey of the existing roof or mounting area. For new projects, review the available roof-mount area and mounting landscape. Care must be taken to ensure that there are no mechanical, construction, or natural structures that could cast a shadow on the solar panels. Shade from trees and sap drops could create an unwanted loss of energy production. One of the solar PV modules in a chain, when shaded, could act as a resistive element that will alter the current and voltage output of the whole array.

Always consult with the architect to ensure that installation of solar panels will not interfere with the roof-mount solar window, vents, and air-conditioning unit ductwork. The architect must also take into consideration roof penetrations, installed weight, anchoring, and seismic requirements.

After establishing solar power area clearances, the solar power designer must prepare a set of...