Economic and Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Technology in Nigeria: Rural Electrification Perspective

BANKOLE ADEBANJI, Ayodele Osalade, Samson Adeleye, Taiwo Fasina, Adewale Abe, Chukwuemeka Okafor

Abstract


The country, Nigeria, has large solar energy resource potentials yet to be tapped while her energy sector continues to go through insufficient electrical energy generation. This work identified some barriers and challenges hindering rapid development of solar PV applications in Nigeria and suggested new strategies of overcoming them in cases where solar PV is profitable and also considers necessary mitigation factors in some cases where it is not viable. The economic and environmental sustainability of solar PV technology was also assessed using Alare/Araromi village, as a case study. RETScreen modelling software was used to determine the economic feasibility and energy production capacity of Solar PV system using a total life cycle method of 25 years life span. The Net Present Value (NPV) is -$1,585,220 and Benefit Cost Ratio (BC-R) is -0.78 at a tariff rate of $0.766 /kWh while the greenhouse gases (GHG) reduced drastically. No profit-oriented company will ever invest in such project.  However, it was observed, that the NPV becomes positive and the BC-R greater than unity, when a lower interest rate and a higher start-up grants were introduced. This work will provide the policy makers with different alternative ways of meeting the energy needs of rural areas.


Keywords


RETscreen; renewable energy;rural electrification; solar energy; viability

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References


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DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.20508/ijsmartgrid.v7i2.282.g280

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