Simulation of Photovoltaic Power Generation in the Atacama Desert of Chile Based on Solar Radiation Data in a Period of Up to 4 Years

In 2012, 99% of the power supply of Northern Chile was based on fossil energy sources of which 60% were imported. Therefore, the energy prices in Chile are the highest in South America. In the beginning of 2012 the government presented its National Energy Strategy that intends to promote non-Conventional Renewable Energy. Especially in the Atacama-Desert in northern Chile, there is a high potential for photovoltaic (PV) power plants due to the high level of solar radiation and clearness index in this region. Weather data with high temporal and spatial resolution are needed for the analysis of the potential of photovoltaics in northern Chile. This work presents the analysis of weather data of 9 different weather stations that were installed by the Comisiòn Nacional de Energía (CNE) in cooperation with the German Gesellschaft für international Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The weather data were imported in the simulation software INSEL and used for the simulation of photovoltaic power generation. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) was calculated based on the present value method. The results show that grid-connected PV power plants can be implemented in Atacama Desert with LCOEs of around 5.1 €Cents/kWh.