Selecting the best technology option also requires the consideration of a number of factors.
Costs include primarily equipment capital costs and maintenance and operating expenses. Capital Cost is the initial cost to purchase and install the equipment. Health facilities should be aware that power equipment – including generators, inverters, charge controllers, and batteries – can vary greatly in cost and quality. Operating Cost includes the cost of fuel (where applicable), operations and maintenance, security, and parts purchased for repairs. Costs of maintenance contracts and/or training of clinic staff should be factored into operating costs. Operating costs will vary more than capital costs, due to differences in fuel prices from country-to-country; energy use patterns, and environmental conditions.
Use the online tool to calculate capital and operating cost of energy generation technologies.
Durability is the typical system lifetime, expressed either in years or (for engine generators) in hours of run-time.
Reliability is expressed as a fraction of time the equipment is available to provide power. Generators need to be taken off-line for service periodically, and wind and solar power systems require optimal weather conditions to operate at maximum efficiency. Systems can generally achieve greater reliability by adding backup components, although this generally increases cost and complexity.
Emissions from generators include smog forming pollutants, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases.
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Last updated: November 17, 2010
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