Feasibility Study of Installing Rooftop PV System with Net-Metering Scheme in Iraq

Abstract

Renewable energy, particularly solar energy, offers a clean and alternative energy source to meet the energy demand for sustainable development in the world. Due to its profitability and viability, PV net-metering scheme has been adopted in many countries. The feasibility of implementation PV rooftop system with net metering in residential, commercial, governmental and industrial sectors in Iraq is demonstrated in this study. A financial model has been developed to investigate the feasibility parameters NPV, IRR and annual savings of 24 kWp PV system. The results showed that increasing the capacity of the PV system in residential and commercial buildings will lead to a profitable investment return and the breakeven point that may make the PV net-metering projects feasible is very close to the tariff applied for the commercial sector (10.29 $c/kWh). In the governmental sector, the tariff needs to increase by 35.1% to reach breakeven. However, for such net-metering scheme to be attractive and feasible on a wide scale, it is crucial to back it with financial support through soft loans and grants.