Techno-economic and environmental analysis of a grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic system in three climate zones

Abstract

This study aims to fill a gap in research on technical-economic and environmental assessments of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) panels for residential electricity supply. To combat this, a study examines the feasibility of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems in three cities. Using PVsyst software, technical, economic, and environmental factors were analyzed, including energy injected into the grid, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and life cycle emissions. It is concluded from this study that PV power plants are technically, economically, and environmentally feasible for all three climate zones, but cold zone with the highest annual production of 10.66 MWh, the highest NPV ($5449.47), the highest IRR (14.28%), and the lowest LCOE ($0.063/kWh) is the most appropriate place to set up a PV power plant (Scenario 1: No tracking system). Furthermore, using horizontal (Scenario 2), vertical (Scenario 3), and two-axis tracking (Scenario 4) systems instead of the no-tracking system (Scenario 1) increases the amount of electricity injected into the grid by 7.56%, 24.67%, and 36.35%, respectively. According to life cycle emission, the annual production of 10.66 MWh by the 5 kW power plant installed in cold zone will prevent 102.02 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere (Scenario 1: No tracking system). To remove financial obstacles and increase the viability of renewable energy, the government must provide financial incentives, lower the cost of equipment, and enact strong renewable energy legislation.