Do operation and maintenance contracts help photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations perform better?. (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Zumeng; Ding, Liping; Wang, Chaofan; Dai, Qiyao; Shi, Yin; Zhao, Yujia; Zhu, Yuxuan
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 259(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations (PPAPS) -- Operation and maintenance contract governance -- Three-stage DEA -- Grey relational coefficient -- Performance efficiency; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.124990
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Photovoltaic poverty alleviation power stations (PPAPS) are the foundation of poverty alleviation, whose operation and maintenance (O&M) status is the key to ensuring long-term poverty reduction advantages. As part of PPAPS′ O&M performance, the role of the O&M contracts has yet to be proven. This paper uses a three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and grey relation analysis (GRA) to analyze the O&M performance efficiency of PPAPS and the influencing factors of contract governance from field data of 110 counties in Henan Province, China. The results show that:1) the O&M efficiency of the PPAPS is relatively high and inconsistent across the region, which has not yet attained optimal productivity; 2) the present efficiency is mainly determined by the initial investment size and installed capacity; 3) the governance factors of O&M contracts affect the performance efficiency of PPAPS, which may lead to overestimation; and 4) longer contract term and higher performance incentive coefficients may result in inefficiencies at the initial stage of PPAPS′ use, while government subsidies allocation and timely O&M cost settlement have little impact on O&M efficiency. This paper proposes corresponding policy recommendations finally. Highlights: This paper focuses on the true O&M performance efficiency of PPAPS and influencing factors of contractual. PPAPS′ O&M performance efficiency is relatively high with regional differences among counties. The initial investment and capacity installed mostly determined the present efficiency. Longer O&M contract terms and a higher achievements drive will result in inefficiency at the initial stage of PPAPS.