Solar energy has contributed significantly to the energy transition towards a low carbon society. Public offices – including universities – are being called to participate in the solar energy transition, as the availability of their rooftops represents an opportunity. The present study aimed at evaluating the economic feasibility of a photovoltaic (PV) plant at the University of L'Aquila, approximately 10 years after an earthquake devastated the region. The reconstruction process is ongoing, and a solar PV plant could potentially move the city in a sustainable direction. The development of sustainability models requires the economic verification of relevant projects and a complete list of indicators for decision-makers. The present work found that a 210 kW PV plant at the University of L'Aquila would reduce emissions by 184.9 t CO2eq/year and generate 1500 € profits for each kW installed; and a 115 kW PV plant would reduce emissions by 101.5 t CO2eq/year and generate profits of 1370 € for each kW installed. The analysis of alternative scenarios gave solidity to the results, confirming the pivotal role of the share of self-consumed energy. Level of insolation and plant size were also found to significantly influence economic performance. Finally, the adoption of a bonus to encourage the production and self-consumption of energy may increase investors’ attention towards environmental issues.

The case study of a photovoltaic plant located at the university of L'Aquila: An economic analysis / D'Adamo, I.; de Monte, F.; Ferella, F.; Gastaldi, M.. - In: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION. - ISSN 0959-6526. - 278:(2021). [10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123561]

The case study of a photovoltaic plant located at the university of L'Aquila: An economic analysis

D'Adamo I.
;
2021

Abstract

Solar energy has contributed significantly to the energy transition towards a low carbon society. Public offices – including universities – are being called to participate in the solar energy transition, as the availability of their rooftops represents an opportunity. The present study aimed at evaluating the economic feasibility of a photovoltaic (PV) plant at the University of L'Aquila, approximately 10 years after an earthquake devastated the region. The reconstruction process is ongoing, and a solar PV plant could potentially move the city in a sustainable direction. The development of sustainability models requires the economic verification of relevant projects and a complete list of indicators for decision-makers. The present work found that a 210 kW PV plant at the University of L'Aquila would reduce emissions by 184.9 t CO2eq/year and generate 1500 € profits for each kW installed; and a 115 kW PV plant would reduce emissions by 101.5 t CO2eq/year and generate profits of 1370 € for each kW installed. The analysis of alternative scenarios gave solidity to the results, confirming the pivotal role of the share of self-consumed energy. Level of insolation and plant size were also found to significantly influence economic performance. Finally, the adoption of a bonus to encourage the production and self-consumption of energy may increase investors’ attention towards environmental issues.
2021
Economic analysis; Photovoltaic; Plant size; Public office; Sensitivity analysis; Subsidies
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
The case study of a photovoltaic plant located at the university of L'Aquila: An economic analysis / D'Adamo, I.; de Monte, F.; Ferella, F.; Gastaldi, M.. - In: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION. - ISSN 0959-6526. - 278:(2021). [10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123561]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1439556
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