ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
The choice of energy source is usually carried out on the basis of technical, economic and ecological comparison of the various alternatives under consideration. Renewable energy sources can reduce the level of environmental pollution in the process of electricity production. In this paper, we present the results of economic studies of comparative options for assessing the life cycle of wind, solar power stations and mini-HPPs with an installed capacity of 30 kW, offered for operation in the Nizhny Novgorod region. They include the costs of design work, construction and installation work, the cost of equipment, the costs of maintenance of equipment and the disposal of equipment. It is shown that an estimate of the life cycle costs of renewable energy sources can be used for the feasibility study of the project with the goal of rational use of electricity costs. For the Nizhny Novgorod region, taking into account climatic conditions, the most advantageous option is the use of a mini-HPP.