Research in Photovoltaic Technology for Buildings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2131Abstract
The federal sector continues to be a leader in the implementation
and demonstration of photovoltaic (PV) technology. Installing PV sys-
tems helps meet the goals of Executive Order (EO) 13123, which encour-
ages each federal agency to “expand the use of renewable energy within
its facilities and in its activities by implementing renewable energy
projects and by purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources.”
PV systems, like those presented in this article, help meet the goal of
the Million Solar Roofs Initiative for the federal government to install
20,000 solar energy systems at federal facilities by 2010. Installing PV
systems can also help reach the government’s renewable energy goal—to
have the equivalent of 2.5% of federal facilities’ electricity consumption
supplied from new renewable energy sources by 2005.
Although most cost-effective PV installations in the past have been
for remote, off -grid power applications, current installations include
a variety of high-value grid-connected applications that provide reli-
able power, lower energy consumption and costs, and reduce harmful
emissions. It may be more dif ficult for grid-connected projects to meet
traditional cost-effectiveness criteria (e.g., brief payback periods) if only
energy cost savings are considered. However, economics is not the single
factor, and not always the most important factor, in determining whether
to implement alternative, renewable energy systems such as PV.
Besides reducing energy costs, PV may provide bene fits such as
reducing harmful emissions from power plants, reducing peak demands
for the facility and on the electrical grid, enhancing energy security, as
well as, aiding the development of renewable sources of energy. Agen-
cies that can place a dollar value on bene fits such as those will be better
able to justify installing these systems on the basis of cost.
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