Techno-economic analysis of a solar-powered agricultural irrigation system using PV*Sol software: A case study in Konya

Abstract

Agricultural irrigation is essential for crop growth and yield, but traditional irrigation systems are often associated with high costs, energy consumption, and negative environmental impacts. The development of alternative irrigation systems, such as solar-powered systems, has gained increasing attention in recent years. In this study, a techno-economic analysis of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system was carried out for the electrical energy needed in irrigation of an agricultural area located in Konya, Turkiye. The electrical energy produced by the solar energy system was used to meet the energy needs of the electrical equipment and the water pumping system required for agricultural irrigation. According to the simulation results, the annual energy requirement for agricultural irrigation is 6,735 kWh and the peak load is 2.1 kW. In addition, in line with the simulation results, the PV system can feed the load with a self-consumption of 15.9%, a self-sufficiency level of 46.6% and a performance rate of 83% when the desired rate is set as 115% for a year reference period. When the financial analysis of the simulation is examined, it is estimated (or computed) that an asset return of 9.14% and a depreciation period of 8.7 years. The annual gain loss of the energy system due to shading is 1.5% and the annual CO2 emission prevented by the system is 9.201 kg. Considering these results, it could be stated that the proposed energy system is technically and economically appropriate for agricultural irrigation systems. At the same time, these results might provide valuable insights for farmers and policymakers seeking to adopt sustainable and cost-effective irrigation systems for agricultural production.