A projection of BIPV systems in Taiwan: Costs versus benefits

Abstract

Because Photovoltaic system tends to save the energy expenditure across the life span of the systems, this paper uses life cycle costing (LCC), saving-toinvestment ratio (SIR), and discounted payback period (DPP) methods to construct the renewable energy evaluation framework in Taiwan. The benefits of PVs mainly derive from energy cost savings, enhanced power quality and reliability, reduced environmental emissions, rebates, and other incentives. Based on the field data of PV-projects located at Taiwan, the paper identifies the technical and economic parameters of the systems evaluation model. The empirical case showed that the saving-to-investment ratio of the BIPV systems with/without government subsidy is not currently feasible in Taiwan. After examining critical factors of the PVs-project, the sensitivity analysis of the future PVs-project was shown. Based on the empirical residential case with a reasonable PR value, the results of sensibility analysis showed that BIPV will become one of the dominant renewable energies in the near future if good, integrated building design is available. © 2008 WIT Press.