Experimental and Economic Analysis of a Concentrating Photovoltaic System Applied to Users of Increasing Size

The costs of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) and concentrating photovoltaic and thermal (CPV/T) systems are highly reduced in the last years because of their increasing diffusion. The unit power cost also depends on the plant size. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to analyze the feasibility of a CPV/T system adopted for users with increasing sizes located in Salerno (Italy): the house, the hotel, and the food industry. An experimental model was developed for an accurate evaluation of the electrical and thermal powers supplied by the CPV/T system when direct normal irradiation (DNI) and environmental temperature vary. A modular configuration of a line-focus CPV/T system was sized to match the electrical and thermal loads of each user. The current economic results, together with a forecast till the year 2025, were discussed. In 2025, for the same CPV system adopted for the domestic user, the net present value (NPVs) are expected to increase by 6.7% and 13% in pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively, with reductions of its discounted payback period (DPBP) of 16% and 30%. For the same CPV systems adopted for the other two users, the NPVs are expected to increase by about 4.2% and 8.4% in pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively, with decreases of its DPBP of 14% and 27%.