ESTIMATION OF ENERGY PAY-BACK TIME AND AIR POLLUTION MITIGATION POTENTIAL OF A 25-KWP GRID CONNECTED ROOFTOP SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

Rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) system has been analyzed for energy payback time (EPBT) and air pollution mitigation potential. A 25 kW solar photovoltaic power plant has been installed on a rooftop of a school building in New Delhi. Actual power generated by the system over a period has been monitored and used for calculating EPBT. Air pollution mitigation potentials of SPV Power Systems are discussed. The analysis shows that EPBT is lower than the lifetime of the plant and there are significant environmental advantages after EPBT period is over. Studies indicate that significant amount of air pollutants like Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon monoxide, Hydro Carbons and particulate materials emitted from diesel generator sets can be mitigated.