This approach enables NREL to estimate step-by-step costs and identify cost drivers for a given material and production process. NREL researchers consider the full production processes of solar cells and modules when conducting bottom-up cost modeling.
Can a polymeric solar collector system be compared with a traditional system?
Summary of conclusions By adopting a total cost accounting approach, it was possible to compare a polymeric solar collector system with two traditional systems from a holistic point of view. Not only differences in thermal performance and investment costs could be taken into account, but also in environmental and climatic costs.
For example, while the unit capital cost for CSP plants is reported to be in the range of US$ 3850–10000 per kW, the corresponding values for solar PV plants are US$ 950–1250 per kW and for coal plants are US$ 3000–8400 per kW [ 5 ].
It is estimated that the overall installed cost for solar field design (of 105 SCAs) is approximately $120/m 2 of aperture area (Figure 2 left).
The costs of materials, equipment, facilities, energy, and labor associated with each step in the production process are individually modeled. Input data for this analysis method are collected through primary interviews with PV manufacturers and material and equipment suppliers.
Are polymeric solar collectors better than natural gas?
A polymeric solar collector system was compared with two traditional ones. It was found the best in terms of climatic performance per solar heat collected. The differences in climatic cost between the systems compared however are small. The low climatic cost makes solar heating better compared to natural gas heating.
Absolicon collectors are produced in local markets globally, by our partners operating Absolicon semi-automatized, high-precision Production line for low cost mass production of solar collectors. Local production minimize transports and optimize the logistics economy of the solar collectors.