The Effect of Retail Electricity Price Levels on the FI Values of Smart-Grid Rooftop Solar Power Systems: A Case Study in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

• Main Authors: Tran Thi Lan, Sopin Jirakiattikul, M. S. Chowdhury, Dilawer Ali, Le Duc Niem, Kuaanan Techato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: economic efficiency; Central Highlands; solar power; SG rooftop PV; Vietnam
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/21/9209

Smart-grid rooftop solar electricity (SG rooftop PV) is an alternative sustainable energy resource. This research was conducted in the Central Highlands of Vietnam (CHV) in light of the different levels of retail electricity pricing, the sunshine duration, and the implementation of a feed-in-tariff system, in order to calculate the financial indicators (FIs) of SG rooftop PV, which would supply investors, companies supplying SG rooftop PV, and policymakers with useful information. The FI values were calculated based on the net present value, the payback period, and the internal return rate. The results show that the electricity retail price level affects the FI of SG rooftop PV. SG rooftop PV is installed to satisfy higher electricity consumption levels, which attracts a higher retail electricity price. As a result of the greater benefits, especially if SG rooftop PV is installed and the highest level of electricity (exceeds 400 kWh) is used to satisfy domestic consumption, users will recoup their investment in only four years and after that will enjoy free electricity. All the FI values derived from this research show that people in the CHV can derive benefits from installing SG rooftop PV.