Solar Energy Onsite Generation Potentials for Industrial Decarbonization
Disciplines
Industrial Engineering
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Onsite electricity generation from low (or no) carbon alternative energy sources are rapidly growing as a solution for industrial decarbonization. Among the renewable sources, the option of solar energy has gained momentum in recent years, specifically due to significant reduction in the cost of solar photovoltaic panels, and therefore better return of investment (ROI). Moreover, in the manufacturing facilities, due to the large energy consuming systems, the onsite generation and then the onsite consumption opportunity will eliminate the electricity transmission losses as well as increasing the reliability of the energy supply chain during the unexpected events. Despite these mentioned benefits of solar energy and the recent renewal of federal 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), there is yet no wide-spread plan for the implementation of solar panel projects in Georgia’s small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturing sector.
In an effort to introduce to the owners and managers of the SME manufacturers and aware them of solar PV benefits, the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at Kennesaw State University has initiated multiple research agendas to conduct site-specific studies and analysis. These research papers and poster presentations depict the benefits of solar panel projects by quantifying the potential cost and carbon footprint reduction on various manufacturing sites. Here as an instance, the hourly power demand of an automotive part manufacturer, located in Georgia, has been compared side-by-side with the potential future supply of solar power, that shows as high as 40% cost reduction can be achieved with ROI of 9 years for the solar panel’s installation. Then, a sensitivity analysis wasperformed to quantify the potential impact of future changes in electricity purchase prices. Also, the impact of changes in the rate schedules were discussed. Rate schedules are used by electric utilities to calculate the monthly electricity $ charges for their customers. Keywords: Solar Energy, Cost and Emission Reduction, Carbon Footprint, Industrial Decarbonization, Manufacturing
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Industrial and Systems Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Amin Esmaeili
Solar Energy Onsite Generation Potentials for Industrial Decarbonization
Onsite electricity generation from low (or no) carbon alternative energy sources are rapidly growing as a solution for industrial decarbonization. Among the renewable sources, the option of solar energy has gained momentum in recent years, specifically due to significant reduction in the cost of solar photovoltaic panels, and therefore better return of investment (ROI). Moreover, in the manufacturing facilities, due to the large energy consuming systems, the onsite generation and then the onsite consumption opportunity will eliminate the electricity transmission losses as well as increasing the reliability of the energy supply chain during the unexpected events. Despite these mentioned benefits of solar energy and the recent renewal of federal 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), there is yet no wide-spread plan for the implementation of solar panel projects in Georgia’s small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturing sector.
In an effort to introduce to the owners and managers of the SME manufacturers and aware them of solar PV benefits, the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at Kennesaw State University has initiated multiple research agendas to conduct site-specific studies and analysis. These research papers and poster presentations depict the benefits of solar panel projects by quantifying the potential cost and carbon footprint reduction on various manufacturing sites. Here as an instance, the hourly power demand of an automotive part manufacturer, located in Georgia, has been compared side-by-side with the potential future supply of solar power, that shows as high as 40% cost reduction can be achieved with ROI of 9 years for the solar panel’s installation. Then, a sensitivity analysis wasperformed to quantify the potential impact of future changes in electricity purchase prices. Also, the impact of changes in the rate schedules were discussed. Rate schedules are used by electric utilities to calculate the monthly electricity $ charges for their customers. Keywords: Solar Energy, Cost and Emission Reduction, Carbon Footprint, Industrial Decarbonization, Manufacturing