An economic impact analysis of residential progressive electricity tariffs in implementing the building-integrated photovoltaic blind using an advanced finite element model

The residential progressive electricity tariffs (RPETs) in South Korea were recently changed, which can significantly affect the economic viability of the solar photovoltaic system. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the economic impact of RPETs in implementing the building-integrated photovoltaic blind (BIPB) using an advanced finite element model. First, the nine-node-based finite element model with improved prediction accuracy for estimating the technical performance of the BIPB (FEM_9-node BIPB) was developed. Second, the life cycle cost approach was used to evaluate the effect of RPETs on the economic viability of the BIPB in terms of the energy demand and supply. The main findings of this study can be summarized as follows. First, the prediction accuracy of the developed FEM_9-node BIPB was proved to be superior to the existing model, in which the estimation results can be found within a short time in an easy way. Second, considering the RPETs, it showed a tendency that the higher the amount of electricity consumption in a household was, the more improved the economic viability of the BIPB became. However, it should be also analyzed which tariff zones in the RPETs can be covered by the amount of electricity generated from the BIPB, because it can significantly affect the economic viability of the BIPB. Third, after the revision of the RPETs, the economic viability of the BIPB under the grid-connected utilization plan was determined to be superior. This study can be used for end-user to maximize the economic viability in implementing the BIPB.