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lnveneo 972 Mlsslon SL. 3Lh lloor San lranclsco, CA 94103 uSA +1(413)901-1969
Total Cost of Ownership for a 20-PC Computer Lab
Explanation and Notes


Over time the cost of ICT equipment, e.g. computers, networking and storage, has
fallen continuously at the same time as the cost of conventional electric power
sources has stayed constant or risen. For rural deployments in particular, the fuel
needed to generate electricity with typical small generators has gone up
considerably.
The cost comparisons charts and tables in this document clearly show that it is
virtually always a lot less expensive to purchase ICT equipment (especially low-
power-consuming computers), than to accept "free" or donated PCs. Organizations
considering rural deployments should therefore make efficiency and low power
consumption top priorities when comparing available solutions.

Notes

5-year Total Cost of Operation (TCO) is the cumulative cost from installation
throughout the first 5 years of a facility's operation, and it includes these factors:
1. Original capital cost of computers
2. Original capital cost of power equipment, including generator, wiring, protection
devices, batteries, chargers, inverters, solar panels, mounting, labor etc.
3. Ongoing monthly operating costs, such as maintenance, generator fuel, or (for
AC grid source) power company charges per KW/Hr.


Computer Cost comparisons are based on these assumptions:
1. Donated PCs with CRT display-- $50 cost in fees, typical power consumption:
175W (PC=100W, CRT=75W)
2. New PC with LCD display-- $400 cost, power 120W (PC=90W, LCD=30W)
3. Inveneo System-- $600 cost, power 20W (PC=12W, LCD=8W)
!

Power Cost comparisons are based on these assumptions:
Solar panels cost= $6.00/Watt (installed)
Deep-cycle batteries cost= $2.00/AmpHour
AC Grid power cost= $0.20/KWHour
Generator capital cost= $500.00/KW of capacity
Generator fuel cost= $1.50/liter
Fuel consumption= 0.59 liters/KW/hour


Note: Replacement cost of batteries, or any other component that might fail, is not
included in TCO in these calculations.
All costs are calculated in US Dollars.
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Cost Comparison - Installations with 20 Computers
972 Mlsslon SL. 3Lh lloor San lranclsco, CA 94103 uSA (cc) 2010 lnveneo
Solar Power
AC Grid with
Backup
Generator only
Donated PC with CRT $69,133 $36,398 $38,482
New PC with LCD $54,720 $32,273 $33,673
Inveneo System $19,787 $15,332 $16,201
SEE NOTES PAGE FOR MORE DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
5-year Cost of Ownership (TCO) US$, Details
TCO includes original capital cost of computers and power equipment, plus operating costs such as
maintenance, generator fuel or, for AC grid source, power company charges per KW/Hr.
Cost comparison are based on these assumptions:
1 - Donated PC with CRT display, $50 cost, typical power consumption: 175W (PC=100W, CRT=75W)
2 - New PC with LCD display, $400 cost, power 120W (PC=90W, LCD=30W)
3 - Inveneo System, $600 cost, power 20W (PC=12W, LCD=8W)
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$30,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
Solar ower AC Crld wlLh
8ackup
CeneraLor only
uonaLed C wlLh C81 new C wlLh LCu lnveneo SysLem
Inveneo saves!
$34,933 to!
$49,346!
Inveneo saves!
$16,921!
to $21,066!
Inveneo saves!
$17,472 to!
$22,281!
Power Cost vs. ICT Cost, Detailed Comparisons
972 Mission St. San Francisco 94103 USA (cc) 2010 Inveneo
With solar power, the Inveneo system costs less due to its much lower initial capital cost!
5-year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), 20 PCs
Solar Power, with batteries, detail
Capital cost, PCs
Capital cost,
power
5yr operating
cost Total TCO:
Donated PC with CRT $1,000 $68,133 $0 $69,133
New PC with LCD $8,000 $46,720 $0 $54,720
Inveneo System $12,000 $7,787 $0 $19,787
NOTES: 20 computers
Due to unreliable and unstable AC grid power source in many countries, it is usually necessary to install
a battery backup system that can provide a full 8 hours (minimum) of ofine operation.
Solar power charging Batteries
Solar power cost estimated at $6/Watt. Maintenance cost is zero over 5 years, as batteries are sealed, and the
solar panels need only an occasional bit of cleaning if some dirt has accumulated.
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$30,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
CaplLal cosL, Cs CaplLal cosL, power 3yr operaung cosL 1oLal 1CC:
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Power Cost vs. ICT Cost, Detailed Comparisons
972 Mission St. San Francisco 94103 USA (cc) 2010 Inveneo
AC Grid power with Battery Backup
The Inveneo system costs less because of its much lower capital AND operating costs!
5-year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), 20 PCs
AC Grid power with Battery Backup, detail
Capital cost, PCs
Capital cost,
power
5yr operating
cost Total TCO:
Donated PC with CRT $1,000 $18,598 $16,800 $36,398
New PC with LCD $8,000 $12,753 $11,520 $32,273
Inveneo System $12,000 $1,412 $1,920 $15,332
NOTES: 1 day power on, 1 day power off, 20 computers
AC Grid power assumed at $0.20/KWHr
Due to unreliable and unstable AC grid power source, it is necessary to install a battery backup system
that can provide a full 8 hours (minimum) of ofine operation.
$0
$3,000
$10,000
$13,000
$20,000
$23,000
$30,000
$33,000
$40,000
CaplLal cosL, Cs CaplLal cosL, power 3yr operaung cosL 1oLal 1CC:
uonaLed C wlLh C81 new C wlLh LCu lnveneo SysLem
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.%&)20,311&
Power Cost vs. ICT Cost, Detailed Comparisons
972 Mission St. San Francisco 94103 USA (cc) 2010 Inveneo
Under generator power, the Inveneo system costs less due to its much lower operating cost!
5-year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), 20 PCs
Generator power only (no Battery Backup), detail
Capital cost, PCs
Capital cost,
power
5yr operating
cost Total TCO:
Donated PC with CRT $1,000 $37,482 $35,982 $38,482
New PC with LCD $8,000 $25,673 $24,673 $33,673
Inveneo System $12,000 $4,201 $3,701 $16,201
NOTES: 20 computers, Fuel cost assumed at US$1.50/liter
When a generator is used without battery backup, the fuel costs are very high!
Generator power source only
$0
$3,000
$10,000
$13,000
$20,000
$23,000
$30,000
$33,000
$40,000
$43,000
CaplLal cosL, Cs CaplLal cosL, power 3yr operaung cosL 1oLal 1CC:
uonaLed C wlLh C81 new C wlLh LCu lnveneo SysLem
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