Photovoltaic power generation at the faculty of economic sciences and management of Sfax, Tunisia

Abstract

Tunisian educational institutions’ electricity debt continues to increase due to the country’s high electricity prices. At the same time, universities could reduce their bills by installing photovoltaic systems on their roofs, but this aspect is underutilized. The study uses the case of the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management of Sfax (FSEG-Sfax) as an example to assess the technical feasibility, economic viability, and potential benefits of installing photovoltaic panels on the faculty’s roofs. Google Earth software was used to assess the surface area of the buildings’ roofs, with the aim of determining the energy production potential of a photovoltaic power plant. Furthermore, the economic analysis relies on the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), profitability index (IP) and discounted payback period (DPP) to evaluate the proposed project. The results reveal that exploiting the rooftops of the faculty buildings can generate the electricity required for local consumption. The study yielded NPV, IRR, DPP and PI of 410 KTND, 25%, 7 years and 1.9%, respectively. The results highlight the potential of rooftop photovoltaic systems to meet the electricity consumption of educational institutions, while also considering, reduce operational costs and support a more sustainable energy transition. This study reinforces the role of solar energy as a catalyst for a sustainable future by offering crucial information to educators, policymakers and entrepreneurs who want to match initiatives to install photovoltaic panels on Tunisian university roofs with sustainable development goals.