Caracterización De Sistemas De Energía Solar Fotovoltaica En Una Región Colombiana

espanolObjetivo: Establecer una linea base acerca de los sistemas de energia solar fotovoltaica instalados en el departamento de Caldas, Colombia. Metodologia: Las instalaciones de energia solar fotovoltaica fueron identificadas desde fuentes secundarias de informacion, seguidamente se realizaron visitas de campo para recopilar la informacion sobre las caracteristicas de tales sistemas. Se diseno un instrumento de evaluacion que consta de 6 categorias que posteriormente fue evaluado por pares expertos. Se aplico acompanado de entrevistas a duenos de los sistemas identificados. Resultados: Se identificaron 43 sistemas solares fotovoltaicos instalados en 11 municipios de Caldas. Se recopilaron datos de 28 instalaciones con diferentes caracteristicas. El 50% de los sistemas solares fotovoltaicos se ubican en la region Centro-Sur de Caldas. Un 71% de los sistemas estan principalmente instalados en el area urbana; un 64% corresponde a sistemas de generacion de energia solar fotovoltaica aislada a pequena escala, y tiene una potencia maxima inferior a 600W. Estas instalaciones se han convertido en una alternativa energetica viable para la region y se estan empleado especialmente para iluminacion y funcionamiento de electrodomesticos en residencias, hoteles, restaurantes e instituciones educativas. Conclusiones: A pesar de que la reglamentacion sobre las instalaciones de energia solar no se habia establecido en el pais, ya en el departamento de Caldas se habian venido implementando estos sistemas de una manera exitosa aunque moderada. EnglishObjective: To establish a baseline about the solar photovoltaic energy systems installed in the department of Caldas, Colombia. Methodology: The solar photovoltaic installations were identified from secondary sources of information, followed by field visits to collect information on the characteristics of these systems. An evaluation instrument was designed consisting of 6 categories which was subsequently evaluated by expert peers. It was applied accompanied by interviews with owners of the identified systems. Results: 41 solar photovoltaic systems were identified and installed in 11 municipalities of Caldas. Data was collected from 28 installations with different characteristics. 50% of the solar photovoltaic systems are in the Central-South region of Caldas. 71% of the systems are mainly installed in the urban area; 64% correspond to small-scale isolated solar photovoltaic energy generation systems, with a maximum power of less than 600W. These installations have become a viable energy alternative for the region and are being used especially for lighting and the operation of household appliances in residences, hotels, restaurants, and educational institutions. Conclusions: Although regulations on solar energy installations had not been established, these systems have already been implemented in the department in a successful, but moderate, manner.