A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems

<p>Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, with capital expenditure (CAPEX) being a key determinant of project competitiveness. This paper presents a systematic assessment of CAPEX components supported by industry benchmarks from recent mark...

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محفوظ في:
التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
المؤلف الرئيسي: Dhanup S. Pillai (22963393) (author)
مؤلفون آخرون: Abdullah B. Bayindir (22963396) (author), Abinisha Thiruchutan (22963399) (author), Juan Lopez Garcia (22963402) (author), Sertac Bayhan (16388511) (author), Brahim Aissa (10591619) (author), Claudio Del Pero (22963405) (author), Veronica Bermudez Benito (18427932) (author)
منشور في: 2026
الموضوعات:
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author Dhanup S. Pillai (22963393)
author2 Abdullah B. Bayindir (22963396)
Abinisha Thiruchutan (22963399)
Juan Lopez Garcia (22963402)
Sertac Bayhan (16388511)
Brahim Aissa (10591619)
Claudio Del Pero (22963405)
Veronica Bermudez Benito (18427932)
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author_facet Dhanup S. Pillai (22963393)
Abdullah B. Bayindir (22963396)
Abinisha Thiruchutan (22963399)
Juan Lopez Garcia (22963402)
Sertac Bayhan (16388511)
Brahim Aissa (10591619)
Claudio Del Pero (22963405)
Veronica Bermudez Benito (18427932)
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Dhanup S. Pillai (22963393)
Abdullah B. Bayindir (22963396)
Abinisha Thiruchutan (22963399)
Juan Lopez Garcia (22963402)
Sertac Bayhan (16388511)
Brahim Aissa (10591619)
Claudio Del Pero (22963405)
Veronica Bermudez Benito (18427932)
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2026-01-02T06:00:00Z
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_comprehensive_review_of_CAPEX-driven_LCOE_optimization_strategies_for_utility-scale_PV_systems/31017679
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv CC BY 4.0
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Capital expenditure
Utility-scale PV plants
Levelized cost of electricity
Operational expenditure
Balance of system
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Text
Journal contribution
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
text
contribution to journal
description <p>Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, with capital expenditure (CAPEX) being a key determinant of project competitiveness. This paper presents a systematic assessment of CAPEX components supported by industry benchmarks from recent market studies along with projected CAPEX scenarios highlighting regional and global trends. Unlike prior studies that focused primarily on cost reporting, the core contribution of this work is a comprehensive review of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) optimization strategies, which include module technology selection, optimized system configurations, innovative balance-of-system (BOS) designs, digitalization and AI-enabled tools for design and operation, as well as emerging approaches aimed at improving reliability and durability. Each approach in various strategies is systematically assessed for its individual impact on CAPEX, BOS, and LCOE, providing a clear understanding of cost-performance trade-offs. More importantly, the current maturity level of each strategy, existing industry standards, implementation challenges and future research needs are benchmarked. By bridging CAPEX analysis with optimization pathways for the industry, this review evaluates how capital components can be strategically selected and optimized during both design and operation to improve project economics. The findings offer a structured roadmap to reduce costs, enhance reliability, and accelerate the competitiveness of utility-scale PV systems in the coming decades.</p><h2>Other Information</h2> <p> Published in: Solar Energy<br> License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296</a></p>
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identifier_str_mv 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296
network_acronym_str Manara2
network_name_str Manara2
oai_identifier_str oai:figshare.com:article/31017679
publishDate 2026
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rights_invalid_str_mv CC BY 4.0
spelling A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systemsDhanup S. Pillai (22963393)Abdullah B. Bayindir (22963396)Abinisha Thiruchutan (22963399)Juan Lopez Garcia (22963402)Sertac Bayhan (16388511)Brahim Aissa (10591619)Claudio Del Pero (22963405)Veronica Bermudez Benito (18427932)EngineeringElectrical engineeringElectronics, sensors and digital hardwareCapital expenditureUtility-scale PV plantsLevelized cost of electricityOperational expenditureBalance of system<p>Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, with capital expenditure (CAPEX) being a key determinant of project competitiveness. This paper presents a systematic assessment of CAPEX components supported by industry benchmarks from recent market studies along with projected CAPEX scenarios highlighting regional and global trends. Unlike prior studies that focused primarily on cost reporting, the core contribution of this work is a comprehensive review of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) optimization strategies, which include module technology selection, optimized system configurations, innovative balance-of-system (BOS) designs, digitalization and AI-enabled tools for design and operation, as well as emerging approaches aimed at improving reliability and durability. Each approach in various strategies is systematically assessed for its individual impact on CAPEX, BOS, and LCOE, providing a clear understanding of cost-performance trade-offs. More importantly, the current maturity level of each strategy, existing industry standards, implementation challenges and future research needs are benchmarked. By bridging CAPEX analysis with optimization pathways for the industry, this review evaluates how capital components can be strategically selected and optimized during both design and operation to improve project economics. The findings offer a structured roadmap to reduce costs, enhance reliability, and accelerate the competitiveness of utility-scale PV systems in the coming decades.</p><h2>Other Information</h2> <p> Published in: Solar Energy<br> License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296</a></p>2026-01-02T06:00:00ZTextJournal contributioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersiontextcontribution to journal10.1016/j.solener.2025.114296https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_comprehensive_review_of_CAPEX-driven_LCOE_optimization_strategies_for_utility-scale_PV_systems/31017679CC BY 4.0info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:figshare.com:article/310176792026-01-02T06:00:00Z
spellingShingle A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
Dhanup S. Pillai (22963393)
Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Capital expenditure
Utility-scale PV plants
Levelized cost of electricity
Operational expenditure
Balance of system
status_str publishedVersion
title A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
title_full A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
title_fullStr A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
title_full_unstemmed A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
title_short A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
title_sort A comprehensive review of CAPEX-driven LCOE optimization strategies for utility-scale PV systems
topic Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Capital expenditure
Utility-scale PV plants
Levelized cost of electricity
Operational expenditure
Balance of system