An assessment of proposed grid integrated solar photovoltaic in different locations of Nigeria: Technical and economic perspective

Abstract

The plan to integrate solar energy into the Nigerian grid is in conception and thirteen different locations within the country have been proposed for solar farm investment. In this paper, fourteen selected solar photovoltaic module types from different manufacturers were assessed to determine the optimum PV module for each of the locations. The optimum module was thereafter used to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of the locations identified for solar investment in Nigeria. Technical assessments were performed using the reference yield, array yield, final system yield, performance ratio and capacity factor while the economic consideration was made using the levelized cost of energy and payback period. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out to identify the important relationships among the technical and economic parameters as they affect the proposed sites. Relevant findings reveal that final yield, performance ratio and capacity factor ranges between 4.0361 and 4.7972 kWh/kWp, 78.96–79.96% and 16.75–19.92%, respectively. It was also observed that the cost of energy and payback period are between 0.0524 and 0.0607 $/kWh and 10.18–10.42 years, respectively. The sensitivity analyses conducted across the selected sites demonstrate that levelized cost of electricity depends heavily on the electricity production in kWh/kWp. The result obtained also shows that increase in the installed capacity of the solar farm has no significant impact on its performance ratio and capacity factor of the farm. Out of fourteen solar modules that were used in the study, module index M 2 (Panasonic solar) provided the best result in terms of peak values of capacity factor and performance ratio at all the proposed sites. • The plan to integrate solar energy into the Nigerian grid is in conception. • 14 PV modules were examined to determine the optimum PV module for the sites. • The best module was used to determine the technical & economic viability. • The Yf, PR & Cf ranges between 4.04–4.80 kWh/kWp, 78.96 – 79.96% & 16.75 – 19.92%. • The LCoE and P p are between 0.047 –0.05$/kWh & 10.03 – 10.27 years, respectively.