Photovoltaic Systems for the Supply of Video Surveillance Equipment in Urban Environment

Abstract

Standalone photovoltaic systems traditionally are deployed in locations far from urban centers, where the conventional electric grid is not available. In such cases, the need for a battery bank and its regular replacement implies in high investments, which are only justified when they are lower than the cost of expansion of the power grid. However, this paper presents a new approach to the use of off-grid solar energy systems, in order to simulate the supply of video surveillance systems in urban centers, replacing the electricity supply from the grid. Surprisingly, it has been demonstrated that, once some eligibility criteria are satisfied, the presented solution is economically feasible, with a payback of 14 years, compared to 25 years of the PV generator lifetime and with an internal rate of return of 9%, against a real average attractiveness rate of 3.1%.  The PV system sizing and its electric performance proved to be able to be satisfactory, indicating that it can safely and continuously feed the loads. Consequently, solar power generation may help to avoid economic and life losses due to the inoperability of the surveillance system, in places exposed to the lack of reliability of the electric power grid.