Download Hydroelectric - Trinity University

Solar Electricity
in Costa Rica
Fred Loxsom
March 31, 2003
Sustainable Development
Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development
Principle 3
The right to development must be fulfilled so
as to equitably meet developmental and
environmental needs of present and future
generations.
Sustainable Development
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
Principle 9
States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous
capacity-building for sustainable development
by improving scientific understanding through
exchanges of scientific and technological
knowledge, and by enhancing the
development, adaptation, diffusion and
transfer of technologies, including new and
innovative technologies.
The Economic Base
Economic Sector
% GDP
Agriculture
13
Industry
22
Commerce and Tourism
40
Costa Rica
Economic Indicators
Population
Growth Rate
GDP (per capita)
Gini Index
Oil (per capita)
Auto (per capita)
Imported Oil
Electricty (per capita)
United States
280 million
0.80%
$36,300
0.41
26 bbl/year
44%
55%
13,000 kWh
Costa Rica
3.8 million
1.60%
$3,850
0.46
3.7 bbl/year
34%
100%
1,500 kWh
Electricity Generation
Electricty (per capita)
Demand Growth
Fossil Fuel
Nuclear
Hydroelectric
Geothermal
Wind
United States
13,000 kWh
2%
Costa Rica
1,500 kWh
5%
71%
20%
7%
1%
1%
1%
0%
83%
14%
2%
How should Costa Rica meet this
demand for electricity?


Compatible with
sustainable
development.
Economically
feasible.
Electricity Generation Costs
Oil
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Wind
Electricity
Generation Cost (¢/kWh)
1%
26
14%
3.5
82%
2.2
3%
?
Potential Generation Capacity
Oil
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Wind
Installed
Capacity
(MW)
240
140
1200
46
Potential
Capacity
(MW)
0?
900
10,000
>600
Hydrocarbons



Imported.
Expensive
Negative environmental impacts
Geothermal




Local resource
Inexpensive
Renewable?
Some negative environmental impacts.
Hydroelectric




Local resource
Renewable
Capital Intensive
Some negative environmental impacts.
Wind





Local resource
Renewable
Unknown expense
Imported equipment
Some negative environmental impacts.
Is Solar Energy An Option?




Local Resource
Renewable
Imported equipment
Cost?
Insolation Map
Insolation Map
Insolation


Average insolation
ranges from
4.0 kWh/m2/day
to
5.4 kWh/m2/day
Assume 5.0 kWh/m2/day
or 1,800 kWh/ m2/year
Which Solar Option?



Hot Water Systems?
Process heat?
We will only consider Photovoltaic
Why
Photovoltaic?
Converts sunlight directly into electricity.
Can stand alone.
Very reliable.
Modular.
Solar Panel Output
Assume efficiency = 14%
Output = 0.14 x 5.0 kWh/m2/day = 0.70 kWh/m2/day
= 365 day/year x 0.70 kWh/m2/day
= 255 kWh/m2/year
Solar System
Size
Yearly Growth = 0.05 x 1500 kWh = 75 kWh
Panel Area Needed = 75 kWh / 255 kWh/m2
= 0.30 m2
Array Size = 1000 W/m2 x 0.30 m2 x 0.14 = 42 W
Need to add 42 Watt capacity per person
– equivalent to 3 square feet.
Solar Economics
Array cost = $5 / Watt
System cost = $10 / Watt
Per capita cost = 42 Watt x $10 / Watt = $420
This represents 10% of the GDP
Cost of Solar
Electricity
Assume very simple economics – System lasts 25 years and cost is
spread evenly over 20 years. Neglect inflation and interest.
Output = 75 kWh / year
System Cost = $420 / 20 year = $21 / year
Electricity cost = $21 / 75 kWh = 28 cents/kWh
Conclusions?







Photovoltaic is expensive.
Uses imported equipment.
Environmentally benign.
Compatible with eco-tourism.
Good for remote locations with no grid.
Being installed in national parks.
Compatible with Hydrogen Economy.