Financial payback of solar PV systems and analysis of the potential impact of Net-Metering in Butuan City, Philippines

The Philippines is increasing its Renewable Energy deployments, especially on grid-connected residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. However, the implementation of Net-Metering is still at its early stage. Electric distribution utilities in the country, including the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) in Butuan City are apprehensive about the potential impact of Net-Metering on their operations, especially on the load management. It was also not clear to these distribution utilities whether there was a potential demand for solar PV installations from their subscribers and how feasible it was to invest in solar PV systems. This paper had three primary objectives: (1) to determine if there was interest and a potential demand for solar PV among the subscribers of ANECO; (2) to determine the economic feasibility of investing in solar PV systems; (3) to simulate and analyze the potential impact of these PV systems to the current load profile of ANECO. Data were gathered from surveys conducted among the city´s residents and business owners and from PV system suppliers in the country. The subscribers´ profile and load information were also gathered from ANECO. The study showed that there was interest and a potential demand for solar PV systems among the subscribers of ANECO, and that investments in solar PV systems were economically feasible. Taking into consideration all potential solar PV installations in the city, it was determined that there would be a significant impact to the load profile of ANECO especially during daytime when all weather conditions are favorable. ANECO should then carefully plan their sourcing of energy supply in these conditions for proper load management.