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ABSTRACT
Irrigation using the photovoltaic water pumping (PVWP) systems represents a sustainable and attractive solution, which can combat Chinese grassland desertification and promote a sustainable development of the agricultural sector. This paper investigates the economics of PVWP systems taking into consideration the effects of the key components on the initial capital cost (ICC), life cycle cost (LCC), and revenues. Sensitivity analyses are conducted regarding the crop yield and price, cost of photovoltaic modules, and system components included in the ICC. Results show that the cost of the PVWP system is the most sensitive parameter affecting the ICC under the assumptions made, especially the cost of the PV modules; whereas, the crop production and price affect the net present value (NPV) and payback period (PBP) clearly. The PVWP has surplus power output when the crop water demand is low or it is non-irrigation season. The potential benefit from selling the surplus electricity is also discussed. In addition, the indirect benefits of carbon sequestration and CO2 emission reduction by applying PVWP systems are addressed in this paper.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket) for the financial support. The help provided by the Prof. Zhang, Chinese Institute of Water Resources for Pastoral Areas, and Ph.D. Pan Tao, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is also appreciated.
Nomenclature
| AC | = | Alternate current |
| CF | = | Annual cost of fuel |
| CI | = | Capital cost of the irrigation system |
| CO&M | = | Annual cost of operation and maintenance |
| CPVWP | = | Capital cost of PV water pumping system |
| CR | = | Cost of replacement |
| CS | = | Crop sale |
| CW | = | Capital cost of the well |
| DEG | = | Diesel electric generator |
| DWP | = | Diesel water pumping |
| E | = | Electricity entry |
| F | = | Feed-in tariffs |
| ICC | = | Initial capital cost |
| LCC | = | Life cycle cost |
| NPV | = | Net present value |
| PBP | = | Payback period |
| PV | = | Photovoltaic |
| PVWP | = | Photovoltaic water pumping |
| PW | = | Present worth |
| PW(A) | = | Present worth of an annual payment |
| PW(R) | = | Present worth of a replacement |
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