Viability study of grid-connected solar PV system in Ethiopia

This study explored the potential of grid-connected solar PV power generation in Ethiopia. Overall, 35 locations were assessed for their technical potential considering a 5 MW PV power plant in each site. Input data sources for the study include the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia and the Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy Dataset of NASA. Both HOMER and RETScreen software were employed in the study. It was found in the study that the average value of PV power plant capacity factor of the different locations considered is 19.8%, and the mean value for the electricity exported to the grid is 8674 MWh/year. Furthermore, economic viability study of a 5 MW PV grid-connected power plant in Addis Ababa area was further conducted. Financial indicators showed that the proposed solar PV system is economically viable, but it may not be sufficiently attractive for commercial investors unless an incentive mechanism is introduced. Further scenario analysis indicated that the upcoming feed-in tariff law for solar PV power generation (which is not yet introduced) may influence the investment decision of the private sector. With the proposed system, up to 7658 MWh electricity can be generated and a minimum of 1089 tons of greenhouse gas emission can be reduced annually.