The environmental and economic analysis of grid-connected photovoltaic power systems with silicon solar panels, in accord with the new energy policy in Iran

Abstract

In recent years, authorities in Iran have introduced supporting policies for renewable energy resources but there is no comprehensive and updated survey from this perspective. This work aims to give a comprehensive survey on the country's background from energy outlook and its prominent policies for renewable energy resources. Due to the high CO 2 emissions alongside with the high solar energy harvesting potential in Iran, We have presented a clear simulation on 20 kW and 1 MW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants using RETScreen software to determine the environmental and economic aspects based on the net greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions reduction, the annual electricity exported to the grid, the cumulative cash flows, and the payback period for the initial investment. According to this simulation, the annual GHG emissions reduction and the annual electricity exported to the grid for 20 kW and 1 MW PV power plants are 22.06 tCO 2 , 1103 tCO 2 , 39 MWh, and 1953 MWh, respectively. From the economic outlook, based on the new feed-in tariff for power plants and the supposed initial costs, the payback period for the initial investments are between 3 and 4, and 5 years for 20 kW and 1 MW PV power plants, respectively.

Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus

“…Sreenath et al [85] assessed solar photovoltaic power plants' energy generation, economic, and environmental performance in seven airports by utilizing RETScreen software. Farangi et al [86] determined the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of the 20 kW and 1 MW grid-connected PV system in Iran using RETScreen software. Cristofari et al [87] utilized the software to analyze the energy performance of the building-integrated solar thermal system.…”

The Role of Single End-Users and Producers on GHG Mitigation in Pakistan—A Case Study

“…RETScreen provides an innovative solution by providing an equivalent annual amount of CO 2 to total emissions. It is processed by translating emission gases into CO 2 based on their global warming potential [3]. However, in this project, electricity exported to the grid is nearly 12 MWh per annum.…”

“…The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) approach of life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis evaluates the scientific, socio-economic data for human-caused climate change, its potential impact and options for mitigations in 1988 [1,2]. Climate change is an environmental issue caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, etc., which traps the sun's radiation in earth's atmosphere causing global warming [3,4]. Global warming is a severe threat to human existence, endangering the quality of life [5].…”

Techno-Economic Analysis for the Role of Single End Energy User in Mitigating GHG Emission

“…are released while burning, however, RETScreen provides an equivalent annual amount of CO 2 to total emissions. It is processed by translating emission gases into CO 2 based on their global warming potential [6]. Table 10.…”

“…Conventional energy production involves emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O), methane (CH 4 ) and water vapours (H 2 O) apart from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. These greenhouse gases (GHG) blocks the re-emitted radiation from the Earth initially received by Sun, trapping the energy, hence raising the Earth temperature, cause of climate change [6][7]. In response, the world is implementing the solutions to reduce this cause without any change in demand and supply i.e.…”