The Life Cycle Cost Analysis of a Solar Stirling Dish Power Generation System

Abstract

In this article, the techno-economic viability of a Stirling dish power generation system is explored and compared with a diesel generator for Indian conditions. A life cycle cost analysis is carried out over the system lifetime. From the life cycle cost, the unit cost of energy generation is estimated to be INR10.35/kWh for a Stirling dish system and INR11.40/kWh for a diesel generator. The payback period is computed as 9.5 yr for the Stirling dish system and 4.4 yr for the diesel generator. Then sensitivity analyses are presented, which further explore system comparisons as certain base-case assumptions like capital cost, diesel fuel cost, discount rate, and fuel escalation rate are varied. The results show the Stirling dish power generation system to be more cost-effective at low-power ranges of electrical energy supply to the rural communities in India.