ImpactU Versión 3.11.2 Última actualización: Interfaz de Usuario: 16/10/2025 Base de Datos: 29/08/2025 Hecho en Colombia
Evaluación prospectiva de la viabilidad de la instalación de calentadores de agua solar en los hogares como una forma alternativa de uso de GLP en Imbabura, Ecuador
Ecuador is a country with energy needs, which should be efficiently met by means of technical and financial considerations. Existing policy promotes the change of the national energy mix to renewables. In this context, this policy will discourage the consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by eliminating gradually its subsidy. Therefore, this research carries out a prospective analysis up to 2050 in order to determine the feasibility of installing solar water heaters as alternative to the conventional systems based on LPG and firewood. In the same sense, this paper includes: the determination of the solar energy potential of Peguche (a community located in Imbabura, Ecuador), trends of the solar system’s costs, and trends of oil prices and oil sub-products for three prospective scenarios. In order to evaluate the feasibility of the project, the payback period based on the savings in the fuel consumption is calculated. To conclude, the paper highlights the environmental advantages in the use of this renewable energy in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).