On the Evaluation of Subsidy-free Grid-Connected PV Systems in Sunny Countries: an Economic Assessment

In this work, the profitability of investments in subsidy-free grid-connected PV plants is analyzed. So, parameters such as return on investment and payback period have been calculated considering free market conditions (i.e., no incentives to the sold electricity).The results show that, for an average annual electricity price of 60 $/MWh, IRRs higher than 10 % and payback times shorter than 15 years are possible if plant price is lower than 1.5 $/Wp and system yield is higher than 1400 kWh/kWp.If system yield increases to 1600 kWh/kWp, IRRs higher than 10 % are possible for plant price lower than 1.7 $/Wp.With regard to payback time, values shorter than 15 years are possible if plant price is lower than 1.5 $/Wp and system yield is higher than 1400 kWh/kWp. In order to reduce payback time to 10 years, plant price lower than 1 $/Wp and average annual electricity price over 70 $/MWh would be required.