Technical and Enviro-economic Analysis of a 0.78 kWp PV System

Aim: To determine the technical, economic and environmental performance analysis of an installed PV backup system.

Study Design: To attain this goal, analysis were performed using a freely available PVSyst 6.7.0 software tool. Economic evaluation was performed using respective present worth of individual component prices. Environmental performance comparison is made between the PV system and diesel generator when each is used as an independent backup system. Input in-situ measured data were determined, measured and keyed into the tool.

Place and Duration of Study: The system is installed in an institutional building in a tropical climatic zone with coordinates 0.42 N and 35.03 E. The system was studied for a period of one year where data was collected and recorded for techno-enviroeconomic analysis.

Methodology: The system consists of four PV modules rated at 0.78 KWp, charge controller and an inverter unit and battery bank, and is utilized as a power backup system to supply electricity whenever power failure occurs, which is frequent and real in Kenya. The techno-enviroeconomic performances analysis of the system were evaluated using the PVSyst software, a freely available design and analytical tool, where input data were measured and recorded at the site.

Results: The performance analysis of the system showed that PV array efficiency of 13.24%, FF of 0.68, CF of 21.23%, and PR of 73.63% and generated electrical energy of 1092 kWh/year. The LCOE of PV electricity was 0.059 $/kWh, while total saving of CO2 emission in tons of CO2 was 9.0 tCO2 with LCE value of 331 gCO2/ kWh.

Conclusion: Techno- enviroeconomic performance results of the studied PV system show that the system can contribute significantly to the mitigation of CO2 emission. This work also could be helpful for consumers and policy makers in the choice of renewable based or fossil based backup generation systems.