Analysis of a photovoltaic system and its influence on the carbon footprint of a University in Moche 2023 (#579)

Authors

Tanta Castro, Maria Fernanda

Saldaña Milla, Fernando Arístides

Abstract

Energy expenditure in a Higher Education Institution represents an important environmental challenge on a global scale, due to its high contribution to the carbon footprint (CF), with CO2 being the main by-product of the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation. Currently, we are going through a process of energy transition, and institutions, including universities, are looking for ways to employ renewable energies to cover their energy needs. Therefore, the objective of the present research was to analyze the influence of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system on the CF sized by solar remote sensing at the Universidad Católica de Trujillo (UCT). In order to carry out the proposed objective, the maximum energy consumption per canopy, the CF per electric equivalent, some solar and geospatial parameters, as well as the installation and operation cost of the dimensioned systems were taken into account. At the end of the research, two photovoltaic systems were obtained, the first composed of 240 modules of 600 W and the second composed of 330 modules of 605 W; these systems allow mitigating a total of 3 862.8 T of CO2 throughout the useful life of the photovoltaic system and satisfy an energy consumption of 809 MWh per year. The total cost for installation and operation is S/. 1 272 29.18, with an average payback period of 2.9 years, an average net present value (VPN) of S/. 3 776 776 and an average TIR of 33.6%.