Viability of a Photovoltaic-Diesel-Battery Hybrid Power System in Nigeria

Diesel generator Photovoltaic Emission reduction Hybrid power system Techno-economic sizing A B S T R A C T Present study investigates the viability of a photovoltaic-diesel-battery hybrid system for electricity generation in Nigeria. It aims to determine the economic, technical and environmental benefits of running a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Nigeria climatic conditions. The solar irradiation for Abuja (latitude 9.08 °N and longitude 7.53 °E) and residential energy profile are used. The optimum size of the hybrid system is determined by making energy-balance calculations based on Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) software. The impact of interest rate and cost of PV system on the optimum configuration is investigated. Sensitivity analysis is performed by varying the annual average solar irradiation based on solar radiation map of Nigeria and diesel price to determine the viability for other locations. Results showed that the use of PV-diesel-battery system in Nigeria can bring benefits of cost saving and emission reduction without compromising the reliability. However, the range of economic benefits depends on the site meteorology, which varies from 21 to 61%.