Type I Renewable energy projects can have a maximum output capacity of 15 MW (or an appropriate equivalent). In this context:
“Output” is the installed/rated capacity as indicated by the manufacturer of the equipment or plant, irrespective of the actual load factor of the plant. The installed/rated capacity of renewable electricity generating units that involve turbine generator systems shall be based on the installed/rated capacity of the generator.
The “appropriate equivalent” of 15 MW, refers to MW, but the project participants may refer to MW(p), MW(e) or MW(th). As MW(e) is the most common denomination, MW is defined as MW(e), and otherwise an appropriate conversion factor shall be applied.
For biomass, biofuel and biogas project activities, the maximal limit of 15 MW(e) is equivalent to a 45 MW thermal output of the equipment or the plant (e.g. boilers). For thermal applications of biomass, biofuels or biogas (e.g. cookstoves), the limit of 45 MW(th) is the installed/rated capacity of the thermal application equipment or device(s) (e.g. biogas stoves). For electrical or mechanical applications, the limit of a 15 MW installed/rated output shall be used. In the case of co-firing renewable and fossil fuels, the rated capacity of the system when using fossil fuel shall apply.
For thermal applications of solar energy project activities, “maximum output” shall be calculated using a conversion factor of 700 W(th)/m2 of aperture area of glazed flat plate or evacuated tubular collector, that is, the eligibility limit in terms of aperture area is 64,000 m2 of the collector. The project participants may also use other conversion factors determined, but shall then justify why the chosen conversion factor is more appropriate to the project activity.