I have been studying NPV (net present value) and LCOE (levelised...

I have been studying NPV (net present value) and LCOE (levelised cost of energy) for electricity generators and I am working on some calculations for the first EVM La Paz solar tower. I still need further info on tax, depreciation and and other tax and renewable credits before I can post the numbers, but they are looking extremely attractive! I can see why potential investors/partners, we are told, are lining up.

Warren Buffett is looking at getting a 16% return from his Topaz solar PV project (bought from First Solar late last year). On the available figures, simplistically speaking, EVM will provide better returns than this. The main reason is because of a similar up front capital cost, but a much higher capacity factor (estimated 60% versus absolute best case about 30% for solar PV) which allows EVM to generate twice as much power per annum and therefore twice as much revenue, all else being equal. Anyway, more to come from me as I get the extra information.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-20/solar-15-returns-lure-investments-from-google-to-buffett.html