Graduation Date
Summer 2017
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Environmental Systems, option Energy, Technology, and Policy
Committee Chair Name
Arne Jacobson
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Kevin Fingerman
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Steven Hackett
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Environmental Resources Engineering
Abstract
Electricity storage can be used as a tool to help with a variety of issues related to electric grid management. Declining costs and state incentives could allow fast penetration of battery storage. Distributed PV systems are now widely used, and battery storage has potential to address issues related to generation intermittency. This thesis assesses the financial potential of PV systems with behind-the-meter battery storage in two communities in Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) territory. An analysis is performed to calculate annual savings for four cases. The batteries are used to avoid peak period charges under a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan. A benefit cost analysis is performed to determine the feasibility of the investment.
Results show that most cases have positive net present value and payback periods less than 20 years when compared to households without PV or a battery. Systems in Fresno have better results than Arcata due to higher energy costs and a larger solar resource. Analysis also shows that the economics improve with the size of the system.
It is also notable that the positive benefit-cost results reported above are due primarily to the addition of PV rather than the inclusion of a battery. Under PG&E’s current net energy metering (NEM) program, the marginal energy bill cost savings of adding a battery to a PV system are minimal. Meanwhile the costs of battery systems increase system costs by 33%-50%. This indicates that adding a battery to an existing PV system is not economically viable in most cases. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the financial performance of battery storage systems is more sensitive to TOU rates than to installed battery price. A higher price differential between peak and off-peak rates, a reduced NEM rate for exported energy, incentives and rebates could improve the economics of storage for residential use in the future.
Citation Style
APA 6TH EDITION
Recommended Citation
Thakor, Jayati, "Economic analysis for residential solar PV systems with battery storage in PG&E territory" (2017). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 68.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/68