Texas Renewable Energy Evaluation Software (TREES): A screening tool for economic assessment of renewable energy options

Screening software has been developed to assess the economic feasibility of renewable energy alternatives for applications in Texas. The renewable options include solar water heating and PV and wind for electric power generation. A range of hot water applications, from swimming pool heating to process heat are permitted, and PV and wind energy may be considered for either stand-alone or grid-connected use. The user inputs data such as application type, location, size of load, system cost, competing fuel cost, and discount rate. For the solar water heating options the software outputs the optimum collector area, life cycle savings compared to a conventional system, and a cost effectiveness index to assess economic feasibility. For the PV and wind options the software outputs life cycle savings, the average unit cost of delivered electricity, and a cost effectiveness index to assess economic feasibility. The software is designed as a screening tool, rather than design tool, and is developed for use with a spreadsheet program.