Economic feasibility of solar PV system for rural electrification in Sub-Sahara Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 2537-2547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiemeka Onyeka Okoye ◽  
Blessing Chioma Oranekwu-Okoye
Processes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Zhen-yu Zhao ◽  
Munir Ahmad ◽  
Abdul Rehman

Fossil fuels are the primary sources of electricity generation in Pakistan. The energy demand and supply gap have intensified recently due to the massive population and fossil fuels are unable to meet the gigantic energy requirement of the country. Meanwhile, they also have adverse environmental impacts. Remote rural regions that are far away from the national grid do not have any means to fulfill their energy needs. The off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) system has emerged to be the best energy option to electrify these remote regions. However, the strategic problem pertaining to local electricity generation is the absence of the area-specific generation capacity and economic feasibility data for solar energy. To address this problem, this study aims to assess the potential and economic viability of utilizing an off-grid solar PV system for rural electrification in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The research results reveal that there is an excellent solar irradiance in the rural areas of Punjab for electricity generation. In addition, suitable tilt angles have been calculated to increase the energy output of solar PV in the respective regions. Furthermore, this study has undertaken the economic viability for solar PV systems, and it was found that electricity generation from the solar PV costs Pakistani rupees (PKR) 7.15 per kWh and is much cheaper than conventional electricity, which costs PKR 20.7 per kWh. Besides, the system can reduce carbon emissions considerably. If 100% of the unelectrified households adopt solar PV system, then 617,020 metric tons of CO2 could be mitigated annually. Based on research findings, this study has suggested essential policy recommendations that would serve as a guideline for the government and stakeholders to maximum deploy the off-grid solar PV rural electrification programs in Punjab as well as on a national scale.


Author(s):  
Amanda Halim ◽  
Ahmad Fudholi ◽  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
Kamaruzzaman Sopian

<p>At present, solar energy is perceived to be one of the world’s contributive energy sources. Holding characteristics such as inexhaustible and non-polluting, making it as the most prominent among renewable energy (RE) sources. The application of the solar energy has been well-developed and used for electricity generation through Photovoltaic (PV) as the harvesting medium. PV cells convert heat from the sun directly into the electricity to power up the electric loads. Solar PV system is commonly built in a rural area where it cannot be powered up by the utility grid due to location constrains. In order to avoid the electricity fluctuation because of unsteady amount of solar radiation, PV solar hybrid is the efficient solution for rural electrifications. This paper presents a review on optimised Hybrid Solar-PV Diesel system configurations installed and used to power up off grid settlements at various locations worldwide.</p>


The need to electrify all rural areas in India is quite compelling. However, the focus has now shifted from traditional fuel-based systems to generate electricity to renewable sources for energy generation. Though there are subsidies and policies that encourage the use of solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems, there is a need for an appropriate framework. This framework could not only offer substantial directions but it would also act as grounds to enhance rural electrification in India using solar PVs. From this perspective, the current research attempts to structure an innovative framework for solar PV system that could facilitate rural electrification in India. In particular, the district of Damoh in Madhya Pradesh was chosen as there are many villages without electricity in this district. PVsyst software was utilized to simulate the outcomes that included mathematical models and diverse components based on PV, for simulation. Three designs were developed to facilitate the simulation. These included; PVs linked with microgrid devoid of battery, individual PV systems without microgrid link and solar PVs linked to microgrid with battey. The framework for rural electrification using solar PVs will offer policy makers with insights with regards to implementing PV systems. It will also offer inputs as to the feasibility of implementing a specific system on several parameters. These would comprise of; number of households within a village, detached households etc. Nonetheless, research in future is also warranted to explore the scope for other sources of renewable energy.


Rekayasa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-174
Author(s):  
Nizar Amir

Indonesia has enormous solar radiation potential, and it can be converted to electrical energy by utilizing solar PV systems. Mainly the irrigation of paddy rice fields in Indonesia dependent on a diesel-powered water pumping system. A solar PV system can replace this method, and it generates several benefits. The present study proposed the utilization of a solar PV system to drive the water pump based on a 100% renewable power supply. The technological and economic viability assessment of solar PV water pumping system to irrigate paddy rice filed at Telang village, Bangkalan, Indonesia, is investigated. The HOMER software has been used to generate the optimal configuration of a renewable system. Initial capital, net present cost, and cost of energy will evaluate as economic assessment criteria. The solar PV and diesel generator water pumping system also compared. The results showed that for water pumping systems, a solar PV system is more cost-effective than a diesel generator. It has lower annual operational and maintenance costs, 100% renewable energy penetration, and free energy cost.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Razzaqul Ahshan ◽  
A. M. Al-Hanshi ◽  
M. A. Al-Naabi ◽  
H. A. Al-Hashmi ◽  
A. H. Al-Badi

This paper presents a techno-economic investigation of an integrated rooftop solar PV system for typical home applications in Oman that reduces the power consumption from the grid and export excess PV generated power back to the gird. Since renewable energy systems design technically depends on the site, this study selects a typical two-story villa in Al-Hamra, Oman as the site. Temperature is one of the critical parameters in this design as it varies widely over the day and has a considerable variation from one season to another in Oman. With the effect of temperature variation, the PV system has designed using system models for the required load of the home. The available rooftop space and the grid-connection availability are two main design constraints have realized in this study. This research also evaluates the economic feasibility of the design system considering the energy export tariff as per the Bulk Supply Tariff (BST) scheme in Oman. The design outcome reveals that the designed PV system can supply the load energy requirement in a year. In addition, the rooftop solar PV system can sell surplus energy back to the grid that generates additional revenue for the owner of the system. The economic performance indices such as payback period, internal rate of return, net present value, and profitability index ensure the financial feasibility of the designed rooftop solar PV system for the selected home. 


2020 ◽  
pp. 66-79
Author(s):  
Zahabia Gandhi ◽  
Hao Liu

Sweden aims to achieve near-zero non-renewable energy use in all the newly constructed buildings from 2020. One of the most promising methods of achieving these energy goals and reducing the net energy-use is using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in buildings. Although some studies have demonstrated this method, the solar PV industry is growing rapidly. Therefore, the study aimed at using sources with the latest information to analyse the true potential of PV systems for the current initial cost of the PV system and tax benefits in Sweden. The study investigates the economic feasibility of a grid-connected solar PV system from a technical and economic perspective for a group of public buildings in Sweden. The hourly energy production and cost of purchasing deficit electricity was simulated for various tilts and ground coverage area to find the optimum tilt and ground coverage ratio of PV panels. The PV energy supply of four different systems – 26 kWp, 75 kWp, 80 kWp, 155 kWp – in different locations was simulated. The overproduction, own usage rate, solar fraction, investment cost, profit over its lifespan and the payback period of each system were compared for the existing as well as improved energy use. Honeybee 0.0.64 and SAM 2018.11.11 was used to simulate energy use and PV production. Results indicate that a system with a high own usage rate and specific yield was profitable when the selling price of electricity (excluding tax refund) was lower. However, a system with a higher production potential became more profitable when the selling price of electricity (including tax refund) was equal or higher than the purchasing price. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the system if the price of electricity or interest rates changed in the future. The outcome of this research demonstrates the techno-economic feasibility of implementing a solar PV system in Sweden and provides a set of benchmarks for comparison of such systems around the world.


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