Sustainability Analysis of a Standalone Solar Powered System

Abstract

Energy is a very important variable that its conservation is of paramount interest. This paper studies the viability of power generation from solar source as a system that converts solar irradiance into electric energy. The conversion of solar energy to electrical energy is achieved by means of a solar panel made up of transducers called solar cell. Solar power system is an efficient renewable energy technology that is cost effective as well as environment friendly. The paper focused on the feasibility and sustainability analysis of an off-grid mini power plant which can help to reduce the reliance on grid power and allow inaccessible remote area to have regular power supply. The feasibility study of a 300KW PV power plant at Wudil, Kano State was conducted. For the study RETScreen software is used, using the RETScreen the benchmark analysis, emission and financial analysis were made. From the bench mark analysis the energy cost of production is reduced to 0.10USD/KWh and finally emission analysis shows a reduction of 3,412.6 t of CO2 from similar non-renewable energy installation the potential emission to the environment is achieved. Hence, this means the project is feasible and can be sustained financially, technically and environmentally friendly and it will help the country to achieve its goal in building clean energy