Given the current high price, is it worth having a diesel generator? This question has recently generated some reflections for those who work in the photovoltaic market. In response, many customers are betting on a hybrid solution: diesel + solar, which brings economic and environmental benefits to the enterprise.
This is the analysis of sector experts who, during participation in the webinar promoted by Canal Solar last Tuesday (15), highlighted the importance of integrating these two sources and listed the reasons for making such an investment.
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“One MWh of energy with a diesel generator is costing, at a low price of R$800. In other words, a tariff of 80 cents per kWh. However, it can reach much more, around R$ 1,20, R$ 1,30 – even higher than the rates of many distributors”, said Mateus Vinturini, specialist in photovoltaic systems.
“Normally, those who have [a] diesel system do so because it was the only solution they had in the past. But today, anyone who can make solar work with diesel to save money, it makes a lot of sense, given the high price,” he pointed out.
“Therefore, if you install solar to offset an electricity bill that costs 90 cents per kWh, you will consequently have much more benefits”, concluded Vinturini.
Learn more: Solar-diesel hybrid systems
Mauricio Ritter, who works in technical support at SolarEdge, also commented on the subject and pointed out the other costs that diesel has, such as transportation and maintenance expenses. “So why integrate a photovoltaic system with diesel generators? First, to reduce fuel consumption, as well as operating costs and to have security against an increase in the price of fuel,” he emphasized, adding that diesel can also be integrated with other renewable energy sources.
Diesel Generator Applications
Another point highlighted by Ritter throughout the webinar is about the applications of the diesel generator, which can be divided into two main categories: “one is back-up, that is, used sporadically in situations of power grid failure”.
“What is the recommendation for this case? When you only use it sporadically, we recommend disconnecting the inverter when the generator comes into operation,” she explained.
“Now, if it is a case of cost optimization, used daily or very frequently, the suggestion is to carry out inverter generation management”, concluded the specialist.
