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

Costa Rica

Economic Indicators

Electricity Generation

How should Costa Rica meet this demand for electricity? Compatible with sustainable development. Economically feasible.

Electricity Generation Costs

Potential Generation Capacity

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 Average insolation ranges from 4.0 kWh/m 2 /day to 5.4 kWh/m 2 /day Assume 5.0 kWh/m 2 /day or 1,800 kWh/ m 2 /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/m 2 /day = 0.70 kWh/m 2 /day = 365 day/year x 0.70 kWh/m 2 /day = 255 kWh/m 2 /year

Solar System Size Yearly Growth = 0.05 x 1500 kWh = 75 kWh Panel Area Needed = 75 kWh / 255 kWh/m 2 = 0.30 m 2 Array Size = 1000 W/m 2 x 0.30 m 2 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.