Design and economic analysis of off-grid solar PV system in Jos-Nigeria

Abstract

Around the globe, renewable energy sources and their associated technologies are critical to power generation. The solar photovoltaic (PV) system is one of the renewable energy systems supporting electricity consumption in the residential domain. Despite the potential of solar PV as well as an appreciable amount of global solar radiation in the region, no previous study has examined the viability of the PV system for off-grid electricity production in Jos, Nigeria. This paper focuses on examining the feasibility of deploying an off-grid PV system to drive the electricity consumption of a residential building in Jos, Nigeria (9.9ON, 8.9OE, 1204.87 m). The paper adopts a mathematical modelling method for designing and analyzing the entire PV systems to drive the power consumption of the households. By applying mathematical modelling approach, the results demonstrate that 10 MLE275HD2 PV modules each of 275 Wp and five batteries of 100 Ah can satisfy the annual electricity consumption of approximately 3132 kWh. Further, an economic analysis carried out by using the life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis depicts that the LCC, the annualized life-cycle cost (ALCC) and cost of electricity (COE) to be US$ 10,110.85, US$ 593.75 and US$ 0.18/kWh respectively. The results of this modelling demonstrate both the technical and economic viability of the off-grid PV system for power generation, and can serve as a model to the successful development of the system for real application. Further, the model can encourage the stakeholders in the renewable sector to provide the support mechanisms towards the adoption of the PV system in the residential buildings.