Feasibility evaluation of establishing a monocrystalline silicon PV solar power plant for three locations in Iraq, case study

Journal
International journal of mechanical engineering & technology  
Volume
9
Issue
8
Start Page
929
End Page
938
Citation
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 8 (9): 929-938 (2018-08)
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85052810862
Energy is a vital topic in human’s life. In Iraq, The percentage of energy consumption by non-renewable energy sources is slightly over 97% [1]. With the increase in the global warming phenomenon accompanied by a high percentage use of fossil fuels as an energy source, it is necessary to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel sources and subrogate them with efficient and environmentally friendly sources. One of these candidate sources is the PV solar panel. The feasibility of constructing a PV solar power plant had been studied in Iraq for three locations by using two different PV solar panel models. Geometrical relations associated with a slope ( and azimuth ( angles for different values are taken into consideration to find the optimum angles of solar radiation incidence. The comparison of utilizing a PV solar power plant instead of a fossil fuel power plant is executed to find the reduction in greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions. Comparison between the obtained results for the selected locations had been carried out to specify the appropriate location for a PV solar power plant construction. The economic analyses had been accomplished to determine the cost of the constructing PV solar power plant, the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) and cash flow over system entire lifetime.