Analysis of relevant technical and economic aspects to support the choice of feasible locations for photovoltaic power plants in Brazil

This paper analyzes possible investment scenarios for photovoltaic solar energy (PV) based on analysis of the most influencing factors for selecting locations. PV systems installed on the roof of commercial and industrial buildings were evaluated, as well as ground mounted plants. This analysis considers technical, economic and regulatory aspects, such as: equipment costs, local climate, land use and geopolitical issues, and power grid conditions. The economic evaluation took into account the sale price of generated energy, considering electricity tariffs charged by distributors and energy´s auction price in 2014. At the end, authors, authors conclude that commercial and industrial PV systems are already attractive to investors and large PV plants are becoming increasingly viable in Brazil. At the same time, this paper aims to contribute with complementary information to feasibility studies of PV plants.