Large scale PV projects in Chile (Experiences and barriers)

Basic facts about the GIZ Federal Enterprise for Sustainable development,

non-for-profit Headquartered in Germany More than 45 years of expertise in developing

and emerging economies Operations in over 130 countries ~ 17,000 employees throughout the world,

almost 11,000 of them national personnel Implement projects on behalf of clients (not a

donor)

GIZ in Chile Since 1990 Working in energy: since 2004 Lead executing agency: Chilean Ministry of

Energy

¿What is GIZ?

Promotion of solar energy - with a focus in CSP / CST and large PV systems2014 - 2019

Solar energy for electricity-and heat generation2012 - 2016

Energy Efficiency and Cogeneration in public hospitals2011 - 2014

4e Program: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in ChileCommissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and

Nuclear Safety (BMUB)Lead executing agency: Chilean Ministry of EnergyObjective: GHG reduction through the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency

Technical and economic potential of RE in Chile

Integration of RE in electrical networks and the environment Impacts

Development strategy for grid-connected renewable energy2009 – 2013

Standards and regulationAdvice on long-term energy

planningCDEC-SIC / SING CooperationTechnical and economic

assessment of solar applications in Mining Training CSP / PV

International dissemination

Market AnalysisLegislation and Regulatory

frameworkPilot projectsLaboratories and training“Techos solares públicos”

Program support

Market AnalysisLegislation and Regulatory

frameworkDesign, planning and

installation of pilots in 3 public hospitals

Local technicians and specialists training

Descriptive study of existing large photovoltaic plants in ChileThe goal of the study:

• Gather information on technical, economic and operational aspects for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) plants installed in Chile.

• The focus was on the experiences in different stages (development, deployment and commissioning).

Consultant:• Energy Center, Faculty

of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Chile

Complementary sources:• CDEA Antofagasta• GESCAM

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Dec-2012 Dec-2013 Dec-2014

Cap

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The last two years..

Operation Construction

Some industry views regarding renewable, solar energy in this case"For use in mining, today the RE (PV) is still in “diapers”."We have coal for 200 years"

Besides,"It is essential and helps to diversify the matrix (electrical grid)""... .I Think it is essential to exploit the potential that gives us the environment;"

PV plants in Chile - fastest growing technology sector

Pampa Elvira Solar

Esperanza (RTS)

Pozo Almonte 2/3La Huayca

Diego de Almagro

Amanecer

San Andrés Methodology

Identify plants in operation (connected to grid) andresponsible people. A site visit was scheduled.

Gather plants previous information and designquestionnaire to be performed in site visits.

Site visits. Site inspection and photographic evidencecollection. Specific points to consider are: effect ofenvironment on solar installations, effect of dust andmining operations, among others.

Later, meetings with managers for interviews basedon the questionnaire.

Process and analysis of information gathered.

Analyzed plants

Facts:

Regarding solar plants analyzed, the power density isbetween 0.14 and 0.66 MW / ha. The projects withouttracking were the densest.

Investment in photovoltaic plants, in a range of 1.39 and4.72 million USD per MW.

Energy yield per installed capacity range is between1.79 and 2.7 kWh / kW.

Cleaning range is between 0 (washing effect by rain)and 1.2 times per month.

Water consumption is about a couple of liters of waterper m2 for each cleaning

PV plants, some statistics

In general, problems are not related to technology, but with environmental and regulatoryaspects.

The largest number of difficulties are concentrated in the planning, feasibility and constructionphases.

No problems reported in commissioning phase. Finally, during operation and maintenance, just two common problems were reported.

PV plants development review

Grid issues

Connection is a costly and time-consumingprocess. There is no penalty against misseddeadlines.

No connection security (No connection pointreservation).

Lack of public trunk lines, small capacity insecondary lines.

Voltage variations on grid, sometimes outsidethe voltage thresholds (voltage) cause frequentdisconnections of photovoltaic solar plants. Thisdecreases the performance and capacity factor.

PV plants issues reported

Human resources

Lack of specialists to design solar parks. Thefew existing technicians are expensivecompared to international prices and they preferto go to mining sector, seeking better pay.

Lack of specialized technical level (forinstallation, operation and maintenance)

PV plants issues reported

Contamination

The north of Chile has several contaminationsources: (dust and corrosive environment). Desert sediments Dirt roads with high traffic Dust and acid air (Electro wining process) in

mine sites

Furthermore, the panels could be affected byhigh UV radiation

PV plants issues reported

Contamination

There is a kind of very fine powder called“chusca"

This powder in combination with “camanchaca"(sea fog) forms grooves and hard layer of duston the panel.

This effect is more important in panel with lowinclinations.

In addition, dust to be very thin, it saturates theair filters of the conversion centers

For this reason, is necessary to protectelectronic equipment in sealed or pressurizedenclosures.

PV plants issues reported

Fuente: www.antaresindustrial.com/

Low industrial development

Lack of equipment supplies in the north of Chile.These equipment supplies must be importedfrom abroad or brought from Santiago.

The industries in the region, which could makethe structures, are 100% dedicated to servingthe mining needs. Furthermore, the miningcosts and times are very high compared withthe time to develop and implement aphotovoltaic plant.

PV plants issues reported

Ground conditions

Geotechnics is varied in the north, and the groundsare extensive, so geotechnical studies are notalways representative for the entire installation.

New anchor system could be designed,considering the seismic standards.

Lack of centralized information

Existence of numerous mining concessions withoutexploitation (speculation), difficult to find suitableland and optimal layout of transmission lines.

Dealing with landowners could reach two months,in arbitration until 8 months.

There is no centralized database with landeasements

PV plants issues reported

Some activities

Working in conjunction with the CDEC forreview of barriers related to the grid

Support to create a training center ofCSP/CST and PV in Antofagasta.

Technologies adaptation to environmentalconditions in northern Chile (dust, UV, etc.).Several studies.

Storage for solar technologies. Severalstudies.

Applications of PV with other renewableenergy (hydraulic pump) and hybridization withconventional energy.

Analysis of geotechnical conditions, anchoringsystems and support structures, according toseismic code

Issues related to:

Grid issues Human Resources Environmental special

conditions Ground conditions

Next steps

Thanks for your attention

Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency Program in Chile

Contact:Rodrigo Vásquez / DKTI project Advisor

Rodrigo.vasquez@giz.deTel.: +56-2-223068606

Annexes

PV plants some issues