2. Profitability analysis
Inputs (I)
For the profitability analysis in this presentation, we will consider the following inputs:
1.Peak power 10% over the nominal power
2.Module degradation: 1% per year
3.Electricity price increase: 2,5% per year
4.Loan
For 12 years
Grace period: 1 year
Interest rate of 5%
Though the most of the financings of the facilities have a variable type indexed
to the EURIBOR, we consider an interest of 5 % for this study
Equity: 20 %
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3. Investment Operation and other costs (The insurance and the
Type of installation
(€/Wp)physical surveillance are NOT considered)
Fix to ground crystalline module 2.9
Fix cost: 200 €
+
2 % of the incomes for the energy produced
Fix to ground thin film module 2.7
Crystalline module with
suntracker
4.1
Rooftop crystalline module 3
Rooftop thin film module 2.8
Profitability analysis
Inputs (II)
We are considering the following investment, operation & maintenance costs…
Note: The price of a solar plant in Germany will be 0.1 € lower per Wp than in Spain, due to
administrative simplifications in that country
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4. Profitability analysis
Inputs (III). Production & Energy price
Germany
Estimated production: 950 kWh/kWp
Subvention (ground): 0,284 €/kWh
Subvention (roof):
30 – 100kW: 0,3723 €/kWh
> 1000 kW: 0,2937 €/kWh
Spain
Estimated production: 1350 kWh/kWp
Subvention (ground): 0,265 €/kWh
Subvention (roof):
>20 kW: 0,295 €/kWh
<20 kW: 0,33 €/kWh
Note: The production in Germany has a
lower radiation, but it is favored by the low
temperature losses
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5. Estimated
TechnologyPowerTypeCountrySubvention
production
Case 1 Crystalline 1.000 kW
Ground
Plant
Spain 1350
0.265
€/kWh
Case 2 Thin film 1.000 kW
Ground
Plant
Spain 1350
0.265
€/kWh
Case 3 Crystalline 100 kW Roof Germany 950
0.3723
€/kWh
Case 4 Crystalline 100 kW Roof Spain 1350
0.295
€/kWh
Case 5 Crystalline 1.000 kW
Suntracker
Plant
Spain 1890
0.265
€/kWh
Profitability analysis
Study cases
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6. RESULT
CASHFLOW ACCRUED
INCOME
-638.000 -638.000
102.216 -535.784
107.902 -427.882
113.671 -314.212
119.525 -194.686
125.466 -69.220
131.494 62.274
137.612 199.886
143.819 343.705
150.118 493.823
156.510 650.334
162.997 813.330
452.817 1.266.147
459.496 1.725.644
466.274 2.191.917
323.151 2.515.068
480.130 2.995.199
487.212 3.482.411
494.398 3.976.809
501.691 4.478.500
509.091 4.987.591
516.600 5.504.191
Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case1 Crystalline 1.000kW Ground Spain 1350 0.265€/kWh
LOAN FEE
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
283.238
1º YEAR
2º YEAR
3º YEAR
4º YEAR
5º YEAR
6º YEAR
7º YEAR
8º YEAR
9º YEAR
10º YEAR
11º YEAR
12º YEAR
13º YEAR
14º YEAR
OUTPUTS
MAINTENANCE COST
WITHOUT INSURANCE
8.071
8.190
8.310
8.433
8.557
8.684
8.812
8.942
9.073
9.207
9.343
9.481
9.621
9.763
INPUTS
INCOMES
393.525
399.329
405.220
411.197
417.262
423.416
429.662
435.999
442.430
448.956
455.578
462.298
469.117
476.036
.(1)
15º YEAR
16º YEAR
17º YEAR
18º YEAR
19º YEAR
20º YEAR
21º YEAR
22º YEAR
23º YEAR
24º YEAR
159.907
10.053
10.201
10.352
10.504
10.659
10.816
10.976
11.138
11.302
483.058
490.183
497.413
504.750
512.195
519.750
527.416
535.196
543.090
551.100
25º YEAR 11.469 559.229
(1) Hypothetical fee for an extraordinary reparation on the year 15th : 150.000 €
Case Study 1
7. Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case1 Crystalline 1.000kW Ground Spain 1350 0.265€/kWh
Case Study 1
INVESTMENT
3.190.000 €
LOAN
2.552.000 €
REVENUE PER YEAR
385.455 €
ACCRUED REVENUE
7.364.683 €
I.I.R
23,07%
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8. Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWpTariff
Case2 Thinfilm 1.000kW Ground Spain 13500.265€/kWh
OUTPUTS INPUTS RESULT
LOAN FEE
MAINTENANCE COST
WITHOUT INSURANCE
INCOMES CASH FLOW
ACCRUED
INCOME
-594.000 -594.000
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
263.705
1º YEAR
2º YEAR
3º YEAR
4º YEAR
5º YEAR
6º YEAR
7º YEAR
8º YEAR
9º YEAR
10º YEAR
11º YEAR
12º YEAR
13º YEAR
14º YEAR
8.071
8.190
8.310
8.433
8.557
8.684
8.812
8.942
9.073
9.207
9.343
9.481
9.621
9.763
393.525
399.329
405.220
411.197
417.262
423.416
429.662
435.999
442.430
448.956
455.578
462.298
469.117
476.036
121.750
127.435
133.205
139.059
141.000
151.028
157.145
163.353
169.652
176.044
182.530
189.112
459.496
466.274
-472.250
-344.815
-211.611
-72.552
72.448
223.476
380.622
543.974
713.627
889.671
1.072.201
1.261.313
1.720.809
2.187.083
.(
1)15º YEAR
16º YEAR
17º YEAR
18º YEAR
19º YEAR
20º YEAR
21º YEAR
22º YEAR
23º YEAR
24º YEAR
159.907
10.053
10.201
10.352
10.504
10.659
10.816
10.976
11.138
11.302
483.058
490.183
497.413
504.750
512.195
519.750
527.416
535.196
543.090
551.100
323.151
480.130
487.212
494.398
501.691
509.091
516.600
524.220
531.952
539.798
2.510.234
2.990.364
3.477.577
3.971.975
4.473.666
4.982.757
5.499.357
6.023.576
6.555.528
7.095.327
547.760 7.643.08725º YEAR 11.469
(1) Hypothetical fee for an extraordinary reparation the 15th year:
559.229
750.000 €
Case Study 2
9. Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case2 Thinfilm 1.000kW Ground Spain 1350 0.265€/kWh
Case Study 2
INVESTMENT
2.970.000 €
LOAN
2.376.000 €
REVENUE PER YEAR
385.455 €
ACCRUED REVENUE
7.643.087 €
I.I.R
26,49%
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10. RESULT
CASHFLOW ACCRUED
INCOME
-63.800 -63.800
9.603 -54.197
10.163 -44.034
10.731 -33.303
11.307 -21.997
11.891 -10.106
12.484 2.379
13.086 15.465
13.697 29.162
14.317 43.479
14.946 58.424
15.584 74.008
16.232 90.240
45.213 135.453
45.880 181.332
31.556 212.888
47.243 260.131
47.940 308.071
48.647 356.718
49.364 406.083
50.093 456.175
50.831 507.007
Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case3 Crystalline 100kW Roof Germany 950 0.3723€/kWh
LOAN FEE
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
28.324
1º YEAR
2º YEAR
3º YEAR
4º YEAR
5º YEAR
6º YEAR
7º YEAR
8º YEAR
9º YEAR
10º YEAR
11º YEAR
12º YEAR
13º YEAR
14º YEAR
OUTPUTS
MAINTENANCE COST
WITHOUT INSURANCE
978
993
1.007
1.022
1.037
1.052
1.068
1.084
1.100
1.116
1.132
1.149
1.166
1.183
INPUTS
INCOMES
38.905
39.479
40.062
40.652
41.252
41.861
42.478
43.105
43.740
44.385
45.040
45.705
46.379
47.063
.(1)
15º YEAR
16º YEAR
17º YEAR
18º YEAR
19º YEAR
20º YEAR
21º YEAR
22º YEAR
23º YEAR
24º YEAR
16.201
1.218
1.236
1.255
1.273
1.292
1.311
1.330
1.350
1.370
47.757
48.461
49.176
49.901
50.638
51.384
52.142
52.911
53.692
54.484
25º YEAR 1.390
(1) Hypothetical fee for an extraordinary reparation on the year 15th:
55.287
15.000 €
Case Study 3
11. Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case3 Crystalline 100kW Roof Germany 950 0.3723€/kWh
Case Study 3
INVESTMENT
319.000 €
LOAN
255.200 €
REVENUE PER YEAR
37.927 €
ACCRUED REVENUE
717.941 €
I.I.R
22,35%
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12. RESULT
CASHFLOW ACCRUED
INCOME
-66.000 -66.000
13.431 -52.569
14.061 -38.508
14.701 -23.807
15.350 -8.458
16.008 7.551
16.677 24.227
17.355 41.582
18.043 59.625
18.741 78.366
19.450 97.816
20.169 117.985
20.899 138.884
50.940 189.823
51.691 241.514
37.453 278.968
53.227 332.195
54.012 386.207
54.809 441.016
55.617 496.633
56.438 553.070
57.270 610.341
Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case4 Crystalline 100kW Roof Spain 1350 0.295€/kWh
LOAN FEE
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
29.301
1º YEAR
2º YEAR
3º YEAR
4º YEAR
5º YEAR
6º YEAR
7º YEAR
8º YEAR
9º YEAR
10º YEAR
11º YEAR
12º YEAR
13º YEAR
14º YEAR
OUTPUTS
MAINTENANCE COST
WITHOUT INSURANCE
1.076
1.092
1.108
1.124
1.141
1.158
1.175
1.192
1.210
1.228
1.246
1.264
1.283
1.302
INPUTS
INCOMES
43.808
44.454
45.109
45.775
46.450
47.135
47.830
48.536
49.252
49.978
50.715
51.463
52.222
52.993
.(1)
15º YEAR
16º YEAR
17º YEAR
18º YEAR
19º YEAR
20º YEAR
21º YEAR
22º YEAR
23º YEAR
24º YEAR
16.321
1.340
1.360
1.380
1.401
1.421
1.442
1.464
1.485
1.507
53.774
54.568
55.372
56.189
57.018
57.859
58.712
59.578
60.457
61.349
62.25425º YEAR 1.529
(1) Hypothetical fee for an extraordinary reparation on the year 15th: 15.000 €
Case Study 4
13. Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case4 Crystalline 100kW Roof Spain 1350 0.295€/kWh
Case Study 4
INVESTMENT
330.000 €
LOAN
264.000 €
INCOMES PER YEAR
42.731 €
ACCRUED INCOMES
847.994 €
I.I.R
26,39%
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14. RESULT
CASHFLOW ACCRUED
INCOME
-902.000 -902.000
139.276 -762.724
147.237 -615.488
155.315 -460.173
163.512 -296.661
171.830 -124.830
180.271 55.441
188.837 244.278
197.529 441.807
206.349 648.156
215.299 863.455
224.381 1.087.836
233.597 1.321.434
643.390 1.964.823
652.880 2.617.703
512.510 3.130.213
672.282 3.802.495
682.198 4.484.693
692.261 5.176.954
702.471 5.879.425
712.833 6.592.258
723.347 7.315.605
Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case5 Crystalline 1.000kW Suntracker Spain 1890 0.265€/kWh
LOAN FEE
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
400.441
1º YEAR
2º YEAR
3º YEAR
4º YEAR
5º YEAR
6º YEAR
7º YEAR
8º YEAR
9º YEAR
10º YEAR
11º YEAR
12º YEAR
13º YEAR
14º YEAR
15º YEAR
16º YEAR
17º YEAR
18º YEAR
19º YEAR
20º YEAR
21º YEAR
22º YEAR
23º YEAR
24º YEAR
OUTPUTS
MAINTENANCE COST
WITHOUT INSURANCE
11.219
11.384
11.552
11.722
11.895
12.071
12.249
12.430
12.613
12.799
12.988
13.179
13.374
13.571
163.771.(1)
13.974
14.180
14.390
14.602
14.817
15.036
15.257
15.483
15.711
INPUTS
INCOMES
550.935
559.061
567.307
575.675
584.166
592.783
601.526
610.399
619.402
628.539
637.809
647.217
656.764
666.451
676.281
686.256
696.378
706.650
717.073
727.650
738.383
749.274
760.326
771.541
782.92125º YEAR 15.943
(1) Hypothetical fee for an extraordinary reparation on the year 15th: 150.000 €
Case Study 5
15. Technology Power Type Country kWh/kWp Tariff
Case5 Crystalline 1.000kW Suntracker Spain 1890 0.265€/kWh
Case Study 5
INVESTMENT
4.510.000 €
LOAN
3.608.000 €
REVENUE PER YEAR
539.716 €
ACCRUED REVENUE
10.317.272 €
I.I.R
22,69%
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16. Case Study 1 Case Study 2 Case Study 3 Case Study 4 Case Study
5
Technology Crystalline Thinfilm Crystalline Crystalline Crystalline
Power 1.000 kW 1.000 kW 100 kW 100 kW 1.000 kW
Type Ground Ground Roof Roof Suntracker
Country Spain Spain Germany Spain Spain
Estimated production 1350 kWh/kWp 1350 kWh/kWp 950 kWh/kWp 1350 kWh/kWp 1890 kWh/kWp
Tariff 0.265 €/kWh 0.265 €/kWh 0.3723 €/kWh 0.295 €/kWh 0.265 €/kWh
INVESTMENT 3.190.000€ 2.970.000€ 319.000€ 330.000€ 4.510.000€
ACCRUED INCOMES 7.364.683€ 7.643.087€ 717.941€ 847.994€ 10.317.272€
IRR 23,07% 26,49% 22,35% 26,39% 22,69%
Profitability Analysis
Study conclusions
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Hinweis der Redaktion
This module focuses on the economic analysis of a proposed PV solar plant.
For this profitability analysis we have made certain assumptions.
We have assumed that the plant’s peak power output will be 10% more than its nominal power.
We assume a module degradation of 1% per year, based on a typical panel manufacturersexpectation of 10% degradation after the first ten years and then a further 10% degradation over the next 15 years.
We also assume an increase in the price of electricity of 2.5% per year.
We also assume an equity investment financing 20% of the project, while the remaining 80% is financed by a 12-year loan with a grace period of one year at an interest rate of 5%. In reality most loan financing is offered at a variable interest rate indexed to the RPI.
The middle column sets out the investment in millions of Euros needed for each type of installation (based on 2010 prices). The level of investment needed will depend on solar panel prices from manufacturers and the size of the plant.
For the exampl a ground-mounted crystalline module plant we estimate an investment need of €2.9 million. Using thin film modules, the investment would be a little less – and it would be much more if sun trackers are used, normally from 30% to 35% more expensive.
Rooftop facilities are around 1 Euro cents per watt peak more expensive than ground mounted. We assume a similar fixed maintenance cost for all installations of €200. An assumption of an aditional 2% of revenues generated from energy production also going to maintenance, takes the different sizes of projects into account.
These assumptions do not include costs for insurance or physical surveillance and maintenance costs, as those can be very variable. For instance, using sun trackers generates more energy but the maintenance costs will be higher.
In different countries, government regulations are more or less stringent and the subsidies and taxes will vary. T
This map is based on a profitability analysis carried out in 2010. There has been considerable development in technology, prices and regulation since then. It is worth looking at Leonardo Energy’s Grid Parity Monitor to gain a more up to date picture when you come to your own calculations.
For the purpose of this exercise, two different types of facility in two countries were chosen, Germany and Spain.
In Germany, production of about 950 kWh per kWp per year is estimated. In 2010, via a Feed-in Tariff, ground-mounted facilities could earn €0.28 per kwh, while rooftop facilities could earn from €0.29 – €0.37 per kWh, depending on the size of the facility.
In Spain, estimated production is higher at about 1350 kWh per kWp per year. A similar Feed-in Tariff to Germany’s offered €0.26 per kWh for a ground facility, while the Feed-in Tariff for rooftops varied from €0.29 to €0.33. While the Spanish tariff was lower, the greater production meant that potential earning were higher.
Of course, tariff calculation and payment methods vary across the world.
Here are five case studies generating 5 different scenarios.
We will look at 100kW or 1MW capacity plants, depending on the type of technology, and looked at them in the 5 scenarios
You will see that the estimated production of a sun tracker plant in Spain is around 35% higher than for a fixed module ground-mounted plant.
Here is an analysis of the profitability of the first case stud – the 1 MW capacity ground-mounted crystalline module plant in Spain.
There are excel versions of each of these case studies available for download.
The analysis should be made over 25 years, the typical lifetime of a PV plant. Installations can last more than 25 years, so any revenues after the 25th year will be unfettered income. As we said before, this assumes a 12-year loan for 80% of the investment of €2.9 million.
The needed investment is calculated by multiplying the total power capacity by the estimated price per Wp. To cover the loan, we have included a flat loan fee.
In the second column are maintenance costs which is a percentage of the revenues plus a small fixed cost. As the revenues increase each year because of the RPI, the cost of maintenance will also increase.
We also included a cashflow based on the revenues less the loan fee and maintenance costs. Cashflow is lower while the loan is being repaid in the first 12 years.
Payback on the investment occurs in the 6th year. Were amortisation of the loan to be higher we could even have a negative cashflow in the earliest years with greater benefit at the end of the project. The level of amortisation is dependent also on the balance between loans and investments in the project.
Here is a summary of the case study.
The total investment is €3,190,000 and the average income is €385,000 in the first years, rising with the RPI and the rising price of electricity.
Based on a Feed-in Tariff of €0.26 per kWh, a 20% equity investment and a loan of €2,552,000, we can expect an Internal Rate of Return of 23.07%. If you know the economics of financing you will know that is a very high IRR. This would be a very attractive project for any financial company.
Here is a case study for a thin film model where the investment is lower and we have lower loan fees.
As the investment and loan is lower while estimated production is nearly the same, we get a higher IRR than for the crystalline module case study.
Please take into account that this is just a rough analysis. A better analysis would need to be done before you enter a project. Normally, the IRR for the crystalline and thin film profitability will vary with factors such as temperatures, land rents and so on.
Here is the case study for the 100kW crystalline rooftop facility in Germany.
Internal Rate of Return is the tool used all over the world to estimate the financial profitability of solar investments. Normally, financial companies will ask you about the IRR.
This rooftop installation promises an Internal Rate of Return of 22.35%. The same rooftop installation in Spain would deliver an even higher IRR of about 26.4%. There is more energy generated by PV in Spain while in 2010 the Feed-in Tariff was pretty much the same in Spain as in Germany.
Of course, the renewable energy support situation has been affected in both countries by the financial crisis and technological developments since these calculations were made. It is important to verify the subvention situation before going ahead with any PV project.
The final case study is a sun tracking system in Spain
The investment needed for this ground mounted system is more than for a fixed system, and despite the increased energy production, the Internal Rate of Return is lower. IRR for the sun tracking system would be about 22.7% while in a ground installation without suntrackers, it would be about 23.07%.
In the next slide we have a regimen that gives an overview on the different types of installations and IRR.
The IRR might be nearly the same but The risks of a sun tracking facility have to be considered when the profitability of sun tracking and non suntracking are considered. That is why sun tracking has not been preferred to fixed in many cases.