Title :
A new path to self-sustaining markets for PV
Abstract :
A new form of market development for photovoltaics is growing in Germany. “Rate-based incentives” allow the public to install PV power systems and recover their investment over time through a per kilowatt hour payment for clean energy generation. The payback is funded through a low surcharge on electric utility bills. The important aspect is there is no need for subsidies from the state, local authority or public utility with this system. The program has been implemented in cities where the public and the politicians support the idea of a utility bill surcharge to encourage the installation of photovoltaics. This paper provides the specifics behind the rate-based concept and its advantages for PV market development. In addition, the paper reviews the status of rate-based incentives in cities which have implemented the program and also looks at those cities which are considering the concept
Keywords :
economics; electricity supply industry; investment; photovoltaic power systems; project engineering; tariffs; Germany; PV power systems; bill surcharge; clean energy generation; electric utility bills; installation projects; investment payback; rate-based incentives; self-sustaining market development; Cities and towns; Costs; Delta modulation; Energy consumption; Investments; Local government; Photovoltaic cells; Power generation; Power industry; Solar power generation;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 1994., Conference Record of the Twenty Fourth. IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - 1994, 1994 IEEE First World Conference on
Conference_Location :
Waikoloa, HI
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-1460-3
DOI :
10.1109/WCPEC.1994.521698
