Appropriate feed-in tariff of solar–coal hybrid power plant for China's Inner Mongolia Region

Highlights: • The potential for the first 10 MWe level solar–coal hybrid power plant is estimated. • Economic feasibility analysis is performed based on the discounted cash flow model. • The appropriate feed-in tariff prices of different scenarios are provided. • The results provide suggestions for the development of solar–coal hybrid technology. - Abstract: Middle-temperature solar heat can be used to preheat feed water before it enters the boiler in a coal-fired power plant. Previous studies have shown that this approach can improve the performance of coal-fired power plants. The present study estimates the first solar–coal hybrid power plant in the Inner Mongolia Region. It will have a potential net solar power output of 10 MW on the basis of the operating data of a traditional 200 MW coal-fired power plant. Economic feasibility analysis is then performed on the solar–coal hybrid power plant. The appropriate feed-in tariff prices are provided on the basis of different financing scenarios, solar field cost, collector area size, and other conditions. The results obtained in this study are expected to provide suggestions for the further development of solar–coal hybrid technology.