Economic Evaluation Method of Photovoltaic Power Generation Installed in Ordinary Homes

Yasushi Iwasaki, Kayoko Yamamoto

Graduate School of Information Systems, University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/sgre.2014.56013                

Abstract

This study aims to develop an economic evaluation method for installing photovoltaic power generation in ordinary homes using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). The conclusions can be summarized in the following three points: 1) This method determines the profit and loss and payback period in order to evaluate the installation of photovoltaic power generation, taking into account the price of equipment, solar battery module conversion efficiency, subsidy, electricity purchase price, service life and rate for selling electricity. 2) The proposed evaluation method was applied to Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, providing plural scenarios. Using a solar battery module conversion efficiency of more than 15%, it is possible to make the payback period shorter than the 20-year service life and anticipate a profit in almost the whole area. 3) The areas suitable for photovoltaic power generation are Kawasaki City and Ninomiya-machi. It is necessary to adopt measures to increase the subsidy and install photovoltaic power generating systems in specific places in areas where subsidies are not provided in enough amounts.

Keywords

Photovoltaic Power Generation, Economic Evaluation, Subsidy, Profit and Loss and Payback Period, GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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