Technical and Economic Analysis for the Net Metering Implementation for several types of electricity customers in Ecuador.

Abstract

This article performs technical and economic analysis of the implementation of photovoltaic self-supply micro-factories (µCFV) for different types and sizes of end-users of electrical energy (EU) in Ecuador. In this context and considering the Ecuadorian regulatory framework, technical and economic aspects of this type of generation projects are analyzed to propose improvement possibilities that can benefit both distribution companies (ED) and final consumers.

The categorization of residential, commercial, and industrial customers is carried out in the main distribution companies of the country using a "Clustering" technique in which technical and economic analyses are linked, this to establish the types of EU for which the financial technical analysis of the feasibility of implementation of photovoltaic micro plants is carried out.

The dimensioning of micro photovoltaic plants, for each typical customer, is carried out with the help of simulation software PVSyst, by analyzing the energy inputs in each case. Finally, an economic analysis is carried out based on indicators such as the LCOE, Network Parity, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and the Estimated Time of Recovery of the Investment (TERI), determining the viability of each of the projects.