Technical and Economic Feasibility of a 5 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant on Kauai, Hawaii

This study presents the results of an initial assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of a 5 megawatts (MW) net Solar Electric Photovoltaic (PV) power plant on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii. It analyzes three potential PV based designs of the solar power plant — single-axis tracking flat plate, fixed flat plate, and two-axis tracking concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) based on the solar insolation on Kauai. Greenhouse gas (GHG) avoided, energy production projection, capital costs, operation & maintenance (O&M) costs, and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of each PV design is developed for comparison. Regardless of the PV technology, the following factors may position solar PV power plant as a competitive alternative to conventional fossil-powered power plant: • Recent technology advances have occurred in concentrating solar collectors increasing overall efficiency; • Use of renewable energy can lead to reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; • Fossil fuels (e.g. natural gas and oil) retail prices are near record highs, increasing electricity rates. The assessment results show that single-axis tracking flat plate PV system are best suited for sites in Kauai as they accommodate the intermittent cloud cover of the region while following the sun from dawn until dusk as it crosses the sky.