The document discusses large-scale photovoltaic projects in Chile and the experiences and barriers faced. It summarizes that grid connection issues, lack of qualified human resources, environmental contamination concerns, and variable ground conditions in northern Chile present challenges. Key issues reported include the costly and time-consuming grid connection process, lack of specialists in solar project design and maintenance, dust contamination from mining and other sources, and lack of centralized land information. Next steps discussed are addressing these issues through collaboration with grid operators and developing a training center for solar technologies adapted to the local environment.

1. Large scale PV projects in Chile
(Experiences and barriers)

2. Basic facts about the GIZ
 Federal Enterprise for Sustainable development,
non-for-profit
 Headquartered in Germany
 More than 45 years of expertise in developing
and emerging economies
 Operations in over 130 countries
 ~ 17,000 employees throughout the world,
almost 11,000 of them national personnel
 Implement projects on behalf of clients (not a
donor)
GIZ in Chile
 Since 1990
 Working in energy: since 2004
 Lead executing agency: Chilean Ministry of
Energy
¿What is GIZ?

3. Promotion of solar energy
- with a focus in CSP / CST
and large PV systems
2014 - 2019
Solar energy for electricity-
and heat generation
2012 - 2016
Energy Efficiency and
Cogeneration in public
hospitals
2011 - 2014
4e Program: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Chile
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and
Nuclear Safety (BMUB)
Lead executing agency: Chilean Ministry of Energy
Objective: GHG reduction through the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
Technical and economic
potential of RE in Chile
Integration of RE in electrical
networks and the
environment Impacts
Development strategy for
grid-connected renewable
energy
2009 – 2013
Standards and regulation
Advice on long-term energy
planning
CDEC-SIC / SING Cooperation
Technical and economic
assessment of solar
applications in Mining
Training CSP / PV
International dissemination
Market Analysis
Legislation and Regulatory
framework
Pilot projects
Laboratories and training
“Techos solares públicos”
Program support
Market Analysis
Legislation and Regulatory
framework
Design, planning and
installation of pilots in 3 public
hospitals
Local technicians and
specialists training

4. Descriptive study of existing large photovoltaic plants in Chile
The goal of the study:
• Gather information on
technical, economic
and operational
aspects for large-scale
photovoltaic (PV)
plants installed in
Chile.
• The focus was on the
experiences in
different stages
(development,
deployment and
commissioning).
Consultant:
• Energy Center, Faculty
of Physical and
Mathematical
Sciences, University of
Chile
Complementary sources:
• CDEA Antofagasta

5. 0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Dec-2012 Dec-2013 Dec-2014
Capacity[MW]
The last two years..
Operation Construction
Some industry views regarding renewable,
solar energy in this case
"For use in mining, today the RE (PV) is still in
“diapers”.
"We have coal for 200 years"
Besides,
"It is essential and helps to diversify the matrix
(electrical grid)"
"... .I Think it is essential to exploit the potential
that gives us the environment;"
PV plants in Chile - fastest growing technology sector

6. Pampa Elvira
Solar
Esperanza (RTS)
Pozo Almonte 2/3La Huayca
Diego de Almagro
Amanecer
San Andrés Methodology
 Identify plants in operation (connected to grid) and
responsible people. A site visit was scheduled.
 Gather plants previous information and design
questionnaire to be performed in site visits.
 Site visits. Site inspection and photographic evidence
collection. Specific points to consider are: effect of
environment on solar installations, effect of dust and
mining operations, among others.
 Later, meetings with managers for interviews based
on the questionnaire.
 Process and analysis of information gathered.
Analyzed plants

7. Facts:
 Regarding solar plants analyzed, the power density is
between 0.14 and 0.66 MW / ha. The projects without
tracking were the densest.
 Investment in photovoltaic plants, in a range of 1.39 and
4.72 million USD per MW.
 Energy yield per installed capacity range is between
1.79 and 2.7 kWh / kW.
 Cleaning range is between 0 (washing effect by rain)
and 1.2 times per month.
 Water consumption is about a couple of liters of water
per m2 for each cleaning
PV plants, some statistics

8.  In general, problems are not related to technology, but with environmental and regulatory
aspects.
 The largest number of difficulties are concentrated in the planning, feasibility and construction
phases.
 No problems reported in commissioning phase.
 Finally, during operation and maintenance, just two common problems were reported.
PV plants development review

9. Grid issues
 Connection is a costly and time-consuming
process. There is no penalty against missed
deadlines.
 No connection security (No connection point
reservation).
 Lack of public trunk lines, small capacity in
secondary lines.
 Voltage variations on grid, sometimes outside
the voltage thresholds (voltage) cause frequent
disconnections of photovoltaic solar plants. This
decreases the performance and capacity factor.
PV plants issues reported

10. Human resources
 Lack of specialists to design solar parks. The
few existing technicians are expensive
compared to international prices and they prefer
to go to mining sector, seeking better pay.
 Lack of specialized technical level (for
installation, operation and maintenance)
PV plants issues reported

11. Contamination
 The north of Chile has several contamination
sources: (dust and corrosive environment).
 Desert sediments
 Dirt roads with high traffic
 Dust and acid air (Electro wining process) in
mine sites
 Furthermore, the panels could be affected by
high UV radiation
PV plants issues reported

12. Contamination
 There is a kind of very fine powder called
“chusca"
 This powder in combination with “camanchaca"
(sea fog) forms grooves and hard layer of dust
on the panel.
 This effect is more important in panel with low
inclinations.
 In addition, dust to be very thin, it saturates the
air filters of the conversion centers
 For this reason, is necessary to protect
electronic equipment in sealed or pressurized
enclosures.
PV plants issues reported

13. Fuente: www.antaresindustrial.com/
Low industrial development
 Lack of equipment supplies in the north of Chile.
These equipment supplies must be imported
from abroad or brought from Santiago.
 The industries in the region, which could make
the structures, are 100% dedicated to serving
the mining needs. Furthermore, the mining
costs and times are very high compared with
the time to develop and implement a
photovoltaic plant.
PV plants issues reported

14. Ground conditions
 Geotechnics is varied in the north, and the grounds
are extensive, so geotechnical studies are not
always representative for the entire installation.
 New anchor system could be designed,
considering the seismic standards.
Lack of centralized information
 Existence of numerous mining concessions without
exploitation (speculation), difficult to find suitable
land and optimal layout of transmission lines.
 Dealing with landowners could reach two months,
in arbitration until 8 months.
 There is no centralized database with land
easements
PV plants issues reported

15. Some activities
 Working in conjunction with the CDEC for
review of barriers related to the grid
 Support to create a training center of
CSP/CST and PV in Antofagasta.
 Technologies adaptation to environmental
conditions in northern Chile (dust, UV, etc.).
Several studies.
 Storage for solar technologies. Several
studies.
 Applications of PV with other renewable
energy (hydraulic pump) and hybridization with
conventional energy.
 Analysis of geotechnical conditions, anchoring
systems and support structures, according to
seismic code
Issues related to:
 Grid issues
 Human Resources
 Environmental special
conditions
 Ground conditions
Next steps

16. Thanks for your attention
Renewable Energies and Energy
Efficiency Program in Chile
Contact:
Rodrigo Vásquez / DKTI project Advisor
Rodrigo.vasquez@giz.de
Tel.: +56-2-223068606

17. Annexes

18. PV plants some issues