Firm’s upgrading within the Solar Photovoltaic Energy Value Chain

An exploratory study in Costa Rica

Master thesis (2017)

Authors

J.A. Carvajal Rodriguez Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

C. Werker (supervisor 1)
L.M. Kamp (supervisor 2)
Cees van Beers (coach)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management
Copyright: © 2017 Juan Carvajal Rodriguez
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Published Date

11-12-2017

Language

English

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

Costa Rica’s electric grid is dominated by renewable sources, mostly by hydropower 74% and with geothermal 12.4% and wind 10.6%. Hence, in dry season when the water levels drop significantly, there are difficulties to supply the national electricity demand (CENCE, 2016). Despite this and the added fact that the country’s has enormous solar energy potential, solar PV technology has not been diffused to act as an energy complement during dry season it merely represents 0.01% of the energy grid as outlined by Valverde, Lara, Lobo, & Rojas (2015). However, recent global and local developments have spurred the country’s demand for solar PV projects. Globally, there has been a dramatic decrease in solar PV panel’s prices causing significant cost reductions for solar PV installations (Feldman & Barbose, 2015). In Costa Rica a recent executive decree resulted in enabling and regulating the distributed energy generation model on renewable systems however only for self-sustaining purposes including that of solar PV.