Core Concepts
Solar Photovoltaic
Converting sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials.
Wind Power
Converting kinetic energy from wind into electricity using turbines.
Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
Total lifetime cost of an energy system divided by total lifetime energy production.
Capacity Factor
The ratio of actual energy output to maximum possible output over a period. Solar: ~15-25%. Wind: ~35-45%.
Grid Integration
The challenges of integrating variable renewable energy sources into the electrical grid.
Worked Examples & Applications
LCOE Formula: LCOE = (Total Lifetime Cost) / (Total Lifetime Energy Output) = (CAPEX + ฮฃ OPEX/(1+r)แต) / ฮฃ Energy/(1+r)แต. Solar LCOE dropped from $0.36/kWh (2010) to $0.05/kWh (2023).
Capacity Factor Example: A 2 MW wind turbine produces 6,000 MWh/year. Maximum possible: 2 MW ร 8760 h = 17,520 MWh. Capacity factor = 6,000/17,520 = 34.2%.
Practice Questions
Q: What is LCOE? A: Levelized Cost of Energy โ the total lifetime cost of an energy system divided by total lifetime energy production, measured in $/kWh.
Q: Why is capacity factor important? A: It measures how much energy a source actually produces compared to its maximum potential, reflecting intermittency and reliability.