Abstract: . . .  some conclusions about the difference between theory and reality in PV. In the early years of our involvement, I recall a colleague doing some research work on installed PV costs. He remarked that those who had installed real systems reported a price almost exactly twice that of those who expertly predicted costs. This does not surprise me. Some observations to ponder: • Reliability is more important than efficiency. This is the PV equivalent of the hare and the tortoise. See the graph adjacent for an example of a reputable grid connected PV system that was supposed to be a commercial operation. Maintenance and operating costs are always more than you expect Don’t discount the imputed cost of rent – rooftops will not always be free. Actual Business Case • • Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -98 -98 -98 -98 -98 -98 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 • • • Project development costs are significant in large projects and crippling in small . . .
. . .  some conclusions about the difference between theory and reality in PV. In the early years of our involvement, I recall a colleague doing some research work on installed PV costs. He remarked that those who had installed real systems reported a price almost exactly twice that of those who expertly predicted costs. This does not surprise me. Some observations to ponder: • Reliability is more important than efficiency. This is the PV equivalent of the hare and the tortoise. See the graph adjacent for an example of a reputable grid connected PV system that was supposed to be a commercial operation. Maintenance and operating costs are always more than you expect Don’t discount the imputed cost of rent – rooftops will not always be free. Actual Business Case • • Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -98 -98 -98 -98 -98 -98 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 -99 • • • Project development costs are significant in large projects and crippling in small . . .
. . .  aesthetic and functional. A key element of the design was to incorporate a grid connected PV system into the towers such that the energy used to light the Boulevard at night would be offset by solar energy produced during the day. We successfully tendered for this unique project and have been proud to work with a range of suppliers and contractors to help bring the dream of the Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA) to reality. The project consists of nineteen lighting towers, carrying a total of 1520 BP Solar laser grooved laminates (6.8kWp per tower). These are connected via six inverters per tower to the main electrical supply to the public area and are expected to produce about 160,000kWh per year. The towers represent a demonstration of innovative use of PV in public amenities and architecture. OCA was awarded an Engineering Excellence Award for the project in September 1999. 15. CONCLUSIONS After installing $7 million worth of PV systems in many configurations, using a wide variety of different . . .
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