Techno-Economic Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants in Gilan Province
Subject Areas : Environment and energy
Mir Hamed Hakemzadeh
1
,
Shahram Sharifi
2
,
Hanieh Mirbolooki
3
,
Tooba Abedi
4
,
Shamim Moghadamikhomami
5
,
seyyed javad mousavi
6
1 - Specialist, Department of Energy, Environmental Research Institute, Academic Center for Education Culture & Research (ACECR), Rasht, Ira
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Regional Studies, Environmental Research Institute, Academic Center for Education Culture & Research (ACECR), Rasht, Iran
3 - Researcher, Department of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Research Institute, Academic Center for Education Culture & Research (ACECR), Rasht, Iran
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Environment, Environmental Research Institute, Academic Center for Education Culture & Research (ACECR), Rasht, Iran
5 - Department of Water Resources Monitoring, Environmental Research Institute of Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Rasht, Iran
6 - Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Research Institute, Academic Center for Education Culture & Research (ACECR), Rasht, Iran
Keywords: Renewable energy, Solar energy, Photovoltaic power plants, Techno-economic evaluation, Greenhouse gas emissions,
Abstract :
The increasing demand for energy, the necessity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and the global shift toward renewable energy sources have made the construction of solar photovoltaic power plants as a significant option in Gilan Province. However, a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of solar photovoltaic power plants had not previously been conducted in this region, where solar radiation is limited for a large portion of the year due to climatic conditions. This study aims to assess the feasibility of ensuring a sustainable energy supply, reducing environmental impacts, and evaluating the costs and profitability of these projects by conducting a techno-economic analysis of solar photovoltaic power plants in Gilan Province. To simulate the performance of these power plants, the study used the PVsyst software along with meteorological data from NASA's climate database. The results of the study show that, due to favorable climatic conditions, particularly solar radiation levels, the performance of solar power plants in the cities of Rudbar and Talesh is very promising. This leads to a quicker payback period and greater profitability for solar photovoltaic systems in these areas. However, in most parts of Gilan Province, the potential for solar energy production is constrained by relatively low solar radiation, widespread cloud cover, and humid, rainy weather conditions. Furthermore, the findings suggest that directly using the generated electricity in industries, rather than selling it to the grid, is a much more cost-effective option. This approach not only reduces production costs but also strengthens the incentive for investment in this sector.
