Analysis of incentive systems for photovoltaic power plants in six countries of the European Union

Abstract

This paper compares the different incentive systems in support to the photovoltaic power generation in force in six countries of the European Union: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. For the proper solar radiation of each location and two different plant sizes (one, from 1 to 3 kWp, typical of domestic installations, the other larger than 100 kWp), an economic analysis is carried out aiming to assess the actual cost of electricity and the return on the investment allowed by the current incentives.