ABSTRACT

It is expected that photovoltaic (PV) technologies will be one of major solutions of energy and environmental problems in the 21st century. Though solar energy is low density by nature, desert areas, where high-level insolation and large spaces exist, has high potential for introducing PV system on a large scale. In this study, potential of very large-scale photovoltaic power generation (VLS-PV) systems that have 10MW to a few GW capacity was preliminary evaluated under umbrella of IEA/PVPS Task VI. Review of existing studies for world deserts suggested that power generation by VLS-PV systems on deserts appeared to be economically promising and attractive. Preliminary analysis for socio-economic impacts of VLS-PV systems by using a methodology of Input/Output (I/O) table analysis showed that the VLS-PV systems would have a potential to promote the economic activities of the country where they would be installed. It was also found by rough life-cycle analysis for the VLS-PV system that it might have short energy payback time (EPT) and low CO2 emission intensity. This preliminary study has expanded into a full-scale study on VLS-PV system since 1999 as a new Task VIII in IEA/PVPS.