Development of techno-economic model for rooftop of solar PV in the LINE city of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A modernized and smart futuristic city of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia named as �the LINE� city will be constructed in the epic mountains of Tabuk region on the land called NEOM stretching to Red Sea. The city will be mirrored architectural masterpiece with an area of 500 x 200 m2 and will operate entirely on renewable energy majorly solar energy. The planned rooftop of the LINE city will be covered with solar PV panels. Therefore, in this research, a complete investigation of solar PV installation on the roof top was conducted by selecting three main regions of LINE city. Because, the weather conditions are the main dominant factors on efficacy of the solar energy. The research starts with most up-to-date report on LINE city with all associated literature studies and the futuristic vision of KSA(Vision 2030). In the next phase, rooftop of LINE city has been designed to cover with all solar PV panels. The observation was determined by considering the both ends and a middle area of the city. Both theoretical and computational analysis were performed in terms of performance ratio, conversion efficiency, leveled cost of electricity and energy production. The comparative analysis of each case with other case studies were performed to finalized the most optimized solar PV installation region in the LINE city. Analysis of all components of solar PV systems, including arrays, inverters, connections, and storage, to determine the optimal system for meeting demand and assuring sustainability.The research helps to demonstrate the viability of Solar PV installation on specific location of the city. The main objective of the research is to identify the location point where the rooftop panels have the maximum energy production which helps to make the installation and other necessities on this particular location.