Potential for energy and socio-environmental savings of photovoltaic energy for the supply of clean electricity in the residential sector of the Portoviejo canton

Abstract

It is impossible to build a sustainable energy matrix on the foundations of traditional, costly and inefficient energy management. Political will is required for the transition of the energy matrix with renewable energy sources. The objective of the work is to provide the theories that are based on the use of solar energy, the preservation of non-renewable natural resources, the reduction of polluting gas emissions and the reduction of expenses associated with the payment of the electric bill of the Portoviejo canton.
Starting from the deductive paradigm, the review of the bibliographic material and primary information to design a qualitative investigation that, from the observation and examination of the problem, contributes elements for its solution, the interview was used with specialists of renewable sources who work at the Technical University of Manabí. As instruments, the QGIS is used, which is based on a geographic information system that allows an approach to the territory and the data related to solar potential, the PvSyst for simulations related to photovoltaic technology. The structure of the electrical system in the province is addressed, the situation of the supply of energy and the losses of the system, the solar potential and its use in the Portoviejo canton.
The technical, socio-environmental and economic feasibility for the introduction of photovoltaic technology in the self-consumption mode was obtained as a result, which achieves the integration of a more relocated, diverse, efficient territorial energy matrix and reduces environmental impacts. It is concluded that, with a 40% penetration of photovoltaic technology connected to the grid in the residential sector of Portoviejo canton, the equivalent of 229.9 GWh of clean energy can be provided annually for self-consumption and 41.4 GWh of energy losses can be avoided, thus avoiding the consumption of 57.5 tons of oil.