Abstract
The potential of solar PV is location-dependent that needs to be assessed before installation. This study focuses on the assessment of a solar PV potential of a site on coordinates −29.853762°, 031.00634°, at Glenmore Crescent, Durban North, South Africa. In addition, it evaluates the performance of a 6-kWp installed capacity grid-connected rooftop solar PV system to supply electricity to a household. The results, obtained from PV design and simulation tools—PV*SOL, Solargis prospect, and pvPlanner, were used to analyze and establish the PV system’s economic and technical viability. The configuration of the system is as follows: load profile—a 2-person household with 2-children, energy consumption—3500 kWh, system size—6 kWp, installation type—roof mount, PV module type—c-Si—monocrystalline silicon, efficiency—18.9%, orientation of PV modules -Azimuth 0° and Tilt 30°, inverter 95.9% (Euro efficiency), and no transformer. The results show: meteorological parameters—global horizontal irradiation (GHI) 1659.3 kWh/m2, direct normal irradiation (DNI) 1610.6 kWh/m2, air temperature 20.6 °C; performance parameters—annual PV energy 8639 kWh, Specific annual yield 1403 kWh/kWp, performance ratio (PR) 74.9%, avoided CO2 emissions 5662 kg/year, and solar fraction 42.5%. Others are economic performance parameters—levelised cost of energy (LCOE) 0.1147 USD/kWh, internal rate of return (IRR) 17,671 USD/kWh, and return on investment (ROI) 11%. The results show that the proposed solar PV system under the current conditions is both economically and technically viable for household electrification in Durban North, South Africa.Graphical abstract
Highlights
The continuous extensive use of fossil fuels is increasingly adding to the concentration of C O2 in the atmosphere, which contributes to the global temperatures rise and environmental degradation (Almasoud and Gandayh 2015)
Dust is generated from different sources, such as pollution by wind, pedestrians, vehicular movements, and volcanic eruptions
This occurrence reduces solar irradiation, leading to lower energy conversion and yield losses of about 1% or more daily (Ilse et al 2018); studies have reported that over 50% power reduction possibility by soiling (Sulaiman et al 2014, Costa, Diniz, and Kazmerski 2018) and soiling effect depends on the nature of the contaminant
Summary
The continuous extensive use of fossil fuels is increasingly adding to the concentration of C O2 in the atmosphere, which contributes to the global temperatures rise and environmental degradation (Almasoud and Gandayh 2015). At the earth's surface, it forms three radiation components, as shown in Fig. 1—direct, diffuse, and reflected radiations—the direct radiation makes a direct line from the sun as it is intercepted by the earth unobstructed; the diffuse radiation is dispersed by atmospheric constituents, such as dust and clouds as it travels through them; and the reflected radiation hits on surface features along its path and gets reflected. The summation of these three radiation components is called global or total solar radiation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
