Estimating the Learning Curve of Solar PV Balance-of-Systems for Over 20 Countries

Initiative Electricity Sector Transitions
Type Discussion paper
Date 15 June 2017

Abstract

The capital cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system comprises the module and balance-of-systems (BOS). The latter refers to everything else that is needed to make the solar system functional including cables, mounts, labor, etc. While modules are priced internationally, the BOS is countryspecific. Price developments of modules, which have been thoroughly studied in literature, followed an 80 percent learning curve (LC). On the other hand, research on the LC for BOS has not been as extensive.

Authors

Amro Elshurafa

Acting Program Director Dr. Elshurafa is a Fellow in King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and possesses 20+…

Dr. Elshurafa is a Fellow in King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and possesses 20+ years of experience in energy and technology garnered on three continents. His research interests lie in renewable energy policy, power systems modeling, and hybrid microgrid design and optimization. He has led and executed several national modeling initiatives both at the distributed and utility scales, and he is listed among the top 2% of scientists globally as per Elsevier. Some aspects of his research have been adopted by BP in creating their seminal annual statistical review. Credited with 50+ papers and patents, Dr. Elshurafa holds a PhD in electrical engineering complemented thereafter with an MBA in finance.

Expertise

Power sector modeling
Electricity markets
Renewable energy policy
Hybrid microgrid optimization

Publications See all Amro Elshurafa’s publications

Modeling Cross-seasonal Fuel Savings From Load Shifting in the Saudi Industrial Sector and Interlinkages to Export Revenues

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10th May 2023

How Firm Capacity and Forced Outage Rate Assumptions of Renewables Impact Capacity Expansion Model Results

The capital cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system comprises the module and balance-of-systems (BOS).…

9th March 2023

Shahad Albardi

Research Analyst Shahad Albardi is a research analyst at KAPSARC working in the field of energy policy with a focus on renewable… Shahad Albardi is a research analyst at KAPSARC working in the field of energy policy with a focus on renewable energy and its interaction with conventional fuels. She holds a BSc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Effat University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Expertise

Renewable Energy and GCC Energy Systems

Publications See all Shahad Albardi’s publications

Growing energy demand in the GCC countries

The capital cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system comprises the module and balance-of-systems (BOS).…

12th November 2019

Estimating the learning curve of solar PV balance–of–system for over 20 countries: Implications and policy recommendations

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Carlo Andrea Bollino

Visiting Researcher Carlo Andrea Bollino is a Professor of Economics at the University of Perugia and Professor of Energy Economics at the… Carlo Andrea Bollino is a Professor of Economics at the University of Perugia and Professor of Energy Economics at the University LUISS, Rome. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was supervised by Nobel laureate Professor Lawrence Klein. He has been a Visiting Researcher at KAPSARC since 2015, focusing on econometric analysis, electricity market reform and climate change policy analysis. He is a Visiting Professor at Technische Universität, Berlin, Germany, the President (honorary) of the Italian Association for Energy Economics. He was the President of the IAEE in 2008, the President of GSE (Italian Renewable Energy Agency) and GRTN (Italian Electric Transmission network); Energy Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Ministry of Treasury of Italy; Chief Economist, ENI; Economist, Bank of Italy; and a Research Associate at Project Link for the United Nations. He has testified to the Italian Senate and Parliament briefings and has provided various governments with technical and policy reports on electricity market liberalization and renewable energy developments.

Expertise