Improving the traditional levelized cost of electricity approach by including the integration costs in the <scp>techno?economic</scp> evaluation of future photovoltaic plants

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is a techno-economic parameter used to evaluate the kilowatt-hour energy produced from selected power plant. initial investment, annual operation and maintenance costs together with production are some input data needed determine LCOE. most typical approach calculate LCOE does not account for interaction new plant existing system, assuming indirectly as stand-alone. This can be misleading in scenarios high variable renewable sources (VRES) penetration related overproduction, reinforcement grid additional efforts fossil fuels plants satisfy demand that instantly covered by VRES accounted for. aim this work define general methodology easy application estimation these costs, called integration photovoltaic (PV) technology corresponding system In order demonstrate importance definition, applied future Italian PV sector foreseen year 2030. 2030 calculated usual ranges 12.55 15.93 €/MWh, while 22 €/MWh relevant increase on average 50%. case addition storage systems, after 45 51 €/MWh. However, even when batteries included, remains competitive compared market price.