Techno-economic analysis of a utility-scale grid-tied solar photovoltaic system in Benin republic

Abstract

About 60.0% of Benin's population currently lacks access to reliable electricity to perform their daily activities. The Benin Republic has abundant solar energy resource, which could be harnessed efficiently to increase its access rate to electricity and improve living standards. This study evaluates the techno-economic viability of installing a 10.0 MW utility-scale grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) system in seven cities located in Benin. The RETScreen software was used to perform technical, economic, and greenhouse gas emission analyses on the proposed system. Based on the assumptions in this study, the PV system produces, on average, about 13,222 MWh/yr of electricity available for grid export. This yields a capacity factor of 15.1% and a performance ratio of approximately 67.3%. Without revenues and capital subsidies, the project generates a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) ranging from 0.110 USD/kWh to 0.125 USD/kWh. Also, the PV project is attractive for investment at a feed-in tariff of above 0.10 USD/kWh. Using the utility-scale PV plant for electricity generation at the installation sites saves about 76.0% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to the utility grid. The findings show that incentives and subsidies could lower the LCOE and increase solar PV investment in Benin. Investing in utility-scale PV systems could help Benin increase its electricity access rate and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions for sustainable development. The study aims to alert stakeholders, decision-makers, and investors toward developing the Benin utility-scale solar PV sector.