Compararative analysis of photovoltaic and thermogenerator panels for rural electrification

JUANICO; RINALDE G F

JOURNAL of RENEWABLE and SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

American Institute of Physics

Lugar: New York; Año: 2009 vol. 1 p. 43107 - 43112

1941-7012

A comparative economic analysis between photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) generators used to provide lighting for isolated rural homes is presented. Although panel costs are similar in both cases, appreciable lower generation costs are obtained by TEs. The difference is due to greater availability of the thermal source. In addition, regarding present TE cost reductions, this comparison is much better for TEs. Due to high generation costs, high-efficiency appliances of leading technologies are strongly recommended in all cases.