Comparative Analysis of Reliable, Feasible, and Low-Cost Photovoltaic Microgrid for a Residential Load in Rwanda

Abstract EN

Photovoltaic microgrids provide free renewable energy solutions for Rwandans.

Although solar technology keeps on its advancement, hydropower remains the principal power source in Rwanda.

Other renewable power sources include wind and geothermal energies that are not yet fully exploited.

Nonrenewable sources in Rwanda including methane, peat, thermal, and fuels are also used for providing energy solutions for the citizens.

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) sets the energy strategic plan since 2015 for achieving the minimum of 512 MW of energy production in 2024/2025 to meet the total energy demand.

The plan predicted 52% for grid-connected and 48% for off-grid (standalone) connections.

The literature survey and data analysis collected on site were used to evaluate and determine the best cheaper microgrid model from the three comparison case studies for the household in Rwanda.

The study focused on the economic power generation model mainly based on solar resources to minimize the electricity cost and provide income for the excess energy produced.

Moreover, the study resulted in a low-cost (four times cheaper), reliable, and affordable grid-connected PV and battery microgrid model for a residential home with a minimum daily load of 5.467 kWh.

The simulation results based on economic comparison analysis found the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and net present cost (NPC) for each power-generated model by using Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (Homer) pro software.

The results show that the LCOE for electricity production by each of the Grid connected-PV-Battery system, Diesel GenSet-PV-Batteries, and PV-Batteries systems was 0.0645 US$/1 kWh, 1.38 US$/1 kWh and 1.82 US$/1 kWh, respectively, compared with 0.2621 US$/1 kWh, the current residential electricity price (2020) for Rwanda.