engleski

Potential for OFF-GRID PV Applications on Croatian Islands

This paper investigates the potential for wider application of photovoltaics to satisfy basic electricity needs in off-grid locations in Croatian islands. The performance and costs of several single-house PV off-grid systems were analyzed by detailed and realistic computer simulations. Input solar and climatic data were calculated using Meteonorm program. Optimization of the PV-system components, calculation of performance and cost-effectiveness of particular PV system was done by PVSYST and RETScreen programs. It has been found that, by using subsidies and incentives for RES available at islands (up to 50% off from commercial prices), the cost of a PV system of 1.2 kWp could be decreased below 4000 € , which would result in price of electricity of about 0.5 € /kWh during the warranty lifetime of PV modules. However, quantitative analysis showed that most effective incentive would be to offer a favorable long-term loan for purchasing PV system. Installments for repayment of the loan would be lower than the cost of the replaced diesel fuel, with considerable positive financial balance till the end-life of PV system. Therefore, such loans would be, in one hand, attractive for the purchase of PV system at off-grid places and, in the other hand, would ensure production of electricity without pollution, noise and stress to the environment. Satisfying basic needs for electricity by PV in remote areas would unleash enormous potential for strong socio-economic development of many small islands and other off-grid maritime location in a sustainable way.

computer simulation; meteonorm; PVSyst; RETScreen

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