Implementation of Renewable Energy from Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facilities in Peru: A Promising Sustainable Future
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis paper presents the main advantages and concerns related to solar photovoltaic energy generation in Peru, which is one of the highest solar radiation areas in the world. It includes a comprehensive review of current and planned photovoltaic systems in Peru.
It would strengthen the paper if a discussion of grid integration issues and strategies were included. Also, Table 18 states that photovoltaic solar energy cannot be stored but must be consumed at the time of its generation. This is incorrect as there are several methods to store photovoltaic energy ranging from batteries to pumped hydro. A discussion of this issue would also strengthen this paper.
Comments on the Quality of English Languageminor editing of English would help
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear author(s)!
The manuscript is well organized and well written. However, the following few issues should be taken into consideration.
1) From the materials presented, it is not clear how the forecast model for further economic growth in the use of solar energy sources was built.
2) The study is analytical in nature, but it is unclear what the scientific novelty of this research is and there are no recommendations for the development of this area, whether in political, regulatory, technical or economic terms. Such recommendations would significantly improve the study and add scientific value to the research.
3) It is very good that the article presents the limitations (which can be understood as disadvantages) and potential advantages of solar energy (Table 18), but this approach does not allow for a quantitative assessment and understanding of the benefits of solar energy development in this region.
4) It is not clear from the results of the study how this research can be useful for scientists (economists, politicians, professionals, etc.) in Peru or other countries.
5) Some Figures need to be improved in quality
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe provided manuscript thoroughly evaluates Peru's renewable energy landscape within its broader socio-economic context and outlines meaningfully the potential and strategic considerations for expanding solar energy. Here are some detailed points of feedback to enhance the content:
1. Content and Coverage
Comprehensiveness: The manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the renewable energy landscape in Peru, with a strong focus on solar energy. However, it could benefit from additional information on wind and biomass energies, as these also hold significant potential in Peru. Moreover, including more case studies or examples of successful renewable projects within Peru would enhance the practical relevance of the discussion.
Accuracy and Currentness: The manuscript includes extensive data on Peru's energy consumption and solar capacity. Some of the data from earlier years (before 2020) might need updating or confirmation to ensure current relevance. The references to government documents and policies should also include the most recent changes or updates.
2. Structure and Organization
Clarity and Structure: The summary is quite comprehensive but may benefit from breaking down complex information into more digestible parts. It might be helpful to separate details into clearer sections (e.g., current energy sources, potential of solar energy, future projections).
Logical Flow: The manuscript is well-organized but could improve by rearranging some sections to align better with the discussion of technical potentials with economic and policy analyses. This would help readers understand not only the potential but also the feasibility of renewable energy projects.
Introduction: While the introduction gives a robust overview of Peru's economy and energy consumption, it could benefit from a more detailed analysis of how these factors specifically influence renewable energy policies and projects.
Clarity of Sections: The sections on economic analysis and policy challenges are dense and could be broken down further. Using subheadings to categorize discussions on incentives, barriers, and future recommendations would improve readability and comprehension.
Conclusion: The conclusion could expand on the strategic recommendations by detailing actionable steps for policy-makers, industries, and communities. This could include specific policy changes, investment incentives, or educational programs needed to achieve the outlined goals. Discuss potential challenges and solutions in integrating large-scale renewable projects within the existing grid infrastructure.
3. Analytical Depth
Sources and Explanations: Ensure that all statistics and projections are up-to-date and accurately cited. Providing more detailed sources or explanations for the data (like Table 1 and Figure 1) would strengthen the credibility.
Accuracy and Detailing: Details on the specific types of renewable energy technologies discussed (like CSP systems) could be enhanced by adding comparisons with other technologies and discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages in the Peruvian context.
Economic Analysis: The economic analysis of renewable energy projects in Peru is somewhat superficial. The manuscript would benefit from a deeper analysis of cost, investment sources, and financial incentives. Comparative analyses with other countries in the region could also provide valuable insights.
Depth of Discussion: While the manuscript discusses the potential and advantages of solar energy, the Discussion section could further benefit from a deeper analysis of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of transitioning to solar energy in Peru. Including comparative analyses with other countries could enrich the context.
Policy Evaluation: While the manuscript discusses existing policies, it lacks a critical evaluation of their effectiveness and areas for improvement. A more thorough analysis of policy gaps and specific recommendations for policy reforms would be beneficial.
4. Technical Considerations
Technology Descriptions: The description of solar PV and CSP technologies is informative but lacks comparative depth with other renewable technologies. More technical details on efficiency, cost, and suitability to different Peruvian environments would enrich the discussion.
Technical Details and Accuracy: Ensure that all technical terms and data, like the solar photovoltaic facility projects (e.g., Utility-Scale PV Plants, Commercial Solar PV Installations, Community Solar Projects, Floating Solar Farms, etc.), the potential of 25 GW (area, multiple locations, types, etc.), or the installed capacity figures are accurately represented and sourced. It might be useful to clarify how these figures were derived and to ensure they are the latest available data.
Feasibility Studies: The feasibility of large-scale implementation of renewable technologies is assumed rather than demonstrated. Including results from pilot projects or feasibility studies could substantiate many of the claims made in the manuscript.
5. Implications and Future Directions
Strategic Recommendations: The conclusion could expand on the strategic recommendations by detailing actionable steps for policy-makers, industries, and communities. This could include specific policy changes, investment incentives, or educational programs needed to achieve the outlined goals. Discuss potential challenges and solutions in integrating large-scale renewable projects within the existing grid infrastructure.
Review Summary: This manuscript provides a valuable contribution to the discussion on renewable energy in Peru, particularly solar energy. With the suggested enhancements, it could serve as a comprehensive resource for policymakers, investors, and researchers interested in Peru's energy sector. Each point of feedback aims to enhance the depth, clarity, and overall impact of the article, ensuring it not only presents a comprehensive overview but also serves as a practical guide for stakeholders involved in Peru's energy transformation. Overall, these points aim to refine the argumentative structure, enhance the factual foundation, and broaden the analysis to provide a clearer and more compelling argument for the strategic expansion of renewable energy in Peru.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageQuality of English Language and Style
I have noted the following observations in the manuscript:
Language and Style:
- The manuscript is well-written overall, but the usage of technical jargon might not be understandable for all readers, especially in the Abstract and Intro sections. Simplifying complex concepts and including more diagrams or charts could enhance the reader-friendliness of the content.
- The language used in the Abstract needs to be refined for better engagement and readability. Using shorter sentences, active voice, and avoiding jargon where possible would make the text more accessible to a broader audience.
- The Introduction and Conclusion sections both contain an abundance of data and intricate concepts. Improving the presentation by using subheadings, keeping analysis for main body sections, and breaking complex sentences into simpler ones could improve readability and comprehension. The authors should keep the complex sentences at the core of the text and discussions.
- Some inconsistencies in terminology and measurement units need addressing to avoid confusion.
Terminology Consistency:
- Throughout the manuscript, consistent usage of terms such as "solar photovoltaic (PV)", "Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)", and "non-conventional renewable energy resources (RER)" is necessary. Sometimes, documents switch between terms like 'solar power' and 'photovoltaic energy' without clear distinction, which can confuse readers. When using scientific terms or notations, maintain consistency in how they are presented. The term 'photovoltaic' should not be interchangeably used with a less precise term like 'solar cells' unless the context specifically justifies this variation.
Technical Phrases:
- Phrases describing technology or processes should be used consistently. For example, if "grid integration" is initially described as "incorporation into the national grid", it should not later be referred to as "grid assimilation" without explanation, as this could imply a different process.
Measurement Units Consistency - Energy Capacity and Output:
- Energy capacity should be referred to consistently in the same units, such as megawatts (MW) or gigawatts (GW). Similarly, energy production should consistently be mentioned in megawatt-hours (MWh) or gigawatt-hours (GWh). Mixing units like kW, MW, and GW in the same discussion without conversion or context can lead to misunderstanding.
Economic Figures:
- When discussing economic data, such as the cost of energy or investments, it's important to consistently use the same currency and to clarify conversions if multiple currencies are discussed (e.g., USD vs. PEN, the Peruvian Sol). Additionally, economic metrics should be consistent (e.g., always adjusting for inflation if historical financial data are discussed).
Scientific and Statistical Consistency:
- Data and statistics should be presented in a consistent format. For example, percentages should consistently either include or exclude the percentage sign (%), and decimal places should be consistent across similar types of data.
Geographical and Cultural Consistency:
- The names of places, regions, or significant landmarks should be used consistently. For example, if "Titicaca Lake" is mentioned, it should not later be referred to as "Lake Titicaca" without a specific reason.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis work of manuscript ISSN 2071-1050 is interestingly reported the promising future of Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants in Peru. They had provided sufficient data from nine power plant among the area of Peru, and describe new designs of power plants such as CSP plant and bifacial solar photovoltaic panels (potential more efficient designs of using solar energy). However, this paper needs some minor editing before it could be more convictable to be published.
1. With the data source, especially in figure 6 and 7, the figure is ought to show the solar resources in summer and winter season, I know Peru is very near to the equator which seasonal could be very different than countries such as USA, China or Europe. But both figures showed hourly data within a three-month period of April, May, and June. The author needs really prepare a longer period of dataset to claim the seasonal trend.
2. Some of the basic claim of the author especially in the introductions need to be rephrased or used a more accurate statement. For example, line 124 Without a doubt, the energy generated from the sun is less polluting than the use of fossil fuels [14]. Although the author is quoted from someone but the statement itself is more questionable in a widely worldly view, which I suggest using more references with more international credits.
3. The data presented in table 1 somehow didn't match what was described from lines 63 to 67, for example, where did all the potentials of 13%, 7%, 3% and 1 % in the content come from, which those numbers didn't match the numbers in table 1.
4. There is one piece of information is lack in this review paper: how much electrical energy is used in Peru annually, and the distribution of the energy used (more rural or urban?). That is important before the claim of a "promising future".
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript is well organized and well written. However, the following few issues should be taken into consideration.
From the materials presented, it is not clear how the forecast model for further economic growth in the use of solar energy sources was built.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
