RENEWABLE ENERGIES HAVE BROUGHT A SOLUTION FOR PERMANENT AND INEXHAUSTIBLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT. THE APPLICATIONS ARE NUMEROUS AND EVERY DAY MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR SMALLER COMPANIES THAT NEED TO REDUCED THEIR ENERGY EXPENSES. THIS PAPER STUDIES AND ANALYSES THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATION ON A SMALL FARM CLOSE TO QUILLÓN, CHILE, A LITTLE TOWN WHOSE ECONOMY IS MAINLY BASED ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PRODUCTION. THE PROPOSED METHODOLOGY DIVIDES THE ANALYSIS INTO THREE CASES, WHICH DETERMINE THE SELECTION OF THE NUMBER OF PANELS ACCORDING TO (1) SUPPLYING OF THE TOTAL DEMAND IN THE MONTH WITH THE HIGHEST SOLAR IRRADIATION, (2) SUPPLYING OF THE TOTAL DEMAND IN THE MONTH WITH THE LOWEST SOLAR IRRADIATION, AND (3) SUPPLYING THE TOTAL DEMAND WITHOUT HAVING ENERGY EXCESSES INJECTED INTO THE GRID, BUT ONLY PRODUCE FOR SELF-SUPPLYING. ALL THE CASES ARE STUDIED AND THEREFORE THE DECISION MAY FOLLOW THE ECONOMIC ASPECT OF INVESTMENT IN THE SHORT, MIDDLE, AND LONG TERM. THUS, THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE VISIBLE FOR PRODUCERS TO TAKE THE OPTION THAT BEST FITS THEM.

RENEWABLE ENERGIES SOURCES HAVE GROWN REGULARLY IN THE LAST YEAR, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN A SOLUTION NOT ONLY FOR REDUCING THE POWER EXPENSES BUT ALSO TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE REMOTE AREAS AND PLACES, MOREOVER, ALL COMPANIES WILL BE OBLIGATED TO PRODUCE OR BUY CLEAN ENERGY TO REACH CARBON NEUTRAL IN 2025. THUS, THIS PAPER MAKES THE TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS OF INCLUDING SOLAR POWER SYSTEM IN A MAYOR BERRIES AGROINDUSTRY. THE STUDY INCLUDES ALL CONSIDERATIONS THE FARMERS SHOULD CONSIDER FOR SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION IN ORDER TO NOT ONLY PRODUCE FOR THEMSELVES BUT ALSO SELL THE SURPLUS TO THE GRID. THIS IS IMPORTANT, SINCE DURING WINTER SEASON THE IRRIGATION ENERGY REQUIREMENTS IS MINIMAL COMPARE WITH THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER, AND THEREFORE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PRODUCED ENERGY SHOULD BE SOLD TO THE GRID IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE INVESTMENT PAYBACK TIME. THE COMPLETE ANALYSIS IS ILLUSTRATED BASED ON THE ACTUAL NORMATIVE AND TOOLS TO CONFIGURE SOLAR SYSTEMS.