Solar model for Rural Communities: Analysis of Impact of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System in the Brazilian semi-arid region

Abstract

This research proposes to model a solar photovoltaic system connected to the grid to attend to the energy demands of the rural settlements in the Brazilian semi-arid region. In addition, to sell the surplus energy produced in order to generate income for farmers. The settlement has high solar radiation, 6.03 kWh/m2 d. The computational tools, HOMER and SAM, were used to model the system. A group of ten families and a cooperative is part of the case study. The electrical load is 2,350 kWh/month. The system would be able to deliver a minimum of 3,500 kWh/month and a maximum of 5,500 kWh/month, as per HOMER results. SAM results show 4,257.01 kWh/month and 5,504.01 kWh/month respectively. The surplus could provide an annual income ranging from US$ 1,122.36 to US$ 2,243.63 for HOMER results, US$ 1,340.75 to US$ 2,681.50 for the SAM results. The applied methodology can be replicated in other regions where conditions are similar.