PVUSA utility-scale system capital and maintenance costs

PVUSA utility-scale systems are based on innovative, supplier-optimized turnkey photovoltaic designs, selected for their potential to produce low-cost energy for utility applications. Capital and maintenance costs of PVUSA utility-scale systems at Davis and Kerman, California, were analyzed as part of PVUSA's ongoing assessment of PV costs. Available data from the system suppliers indicate that actual capital costs were as low as $10/W. Preventive maintenance costs range from 0.1c/kWh to 0.5c/kWh. Failure-related maintenance costs have been about 1c/kWh for the fixed and tracking systems at Davis and 0.6c/kWh for the tracking system at Kerman. Power conditioning units are the key driver for failure-related maintenance costs.