IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v35y2010i10p2391-2398.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Economic evaluation of small-scale photovoltaic hybrid systems for mini-grid applications in far north Cameroon

Author

Listed:
  • Mbaka, Nfah Eustace
  • Mucho, Ngundam John
  • Godpromesse, Kenne

Abstract

A comparison between photovoltaic hybrid systems (PVHS), standalone photovoltaic (PV) and standalone diesel generator options is performed using the net present value (NPV) technique. A typical village mini-grid energy demand of 7.08 kWh/day is considered in the computation of energy costs and breakeven grid distances. A first sensitivity analysis is conducted using remote diesel prices of 0.8 €/l, 0.98 €/l, 1.12 €/l, 1.28 €/l with a PV module cost of 7.5 €/Wp. A second sensitivity analysis is also done using PV module costs of 5.25 €/Wp, 6 €/Wp, 6.75 €/Wp, 7.5 €/Wp with a diesel price of 1.12 €/l. The energy cost for the diesel option was found to be 0.812 €/kWh at a diesel fuel price of 1.12 €/l. The sensitivity analyses showed that minimum energy costs were attained in PVHS at renewable energy fractions in the range 82.6–95.3%. In the second sensitivity analysis the energy costs and breakeven grid distances were found to be in the ranges 0.692–0.785 €/kWh and 5.1–5.9 km respectively. For a PV module cost of 5.25 €/Wp, the lowest energy cost for the PVHS option was 0.692 €/kWh at a final renewable energy fraction of 95.3% with the diesel generator hours being 37 h compared to 2075 h in the standalone diesel generator option. Consequently, a 30% reduction in custom duties and taxes on imported PV modules and sub-systems would increase the use of small-scale and climate friendly PV mini-grids in remote areas of far north Cameroon that have an annual insolation of at least 5.55 kWh/m2/day.

Suggested Citation

  • Mbaka, Nfah Eustace & Mucho, Ngundam John & Godpromesse, Kenne, 2010. "Economic evaluation of small-scale photovoltaic hybrid systems for mini-grid applications in far north Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 2391-2398.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:35:y:2010:i:10:p:2391-2398
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.03.005
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148110001072
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2010.03.005?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Youm, I. & Sarr, J. & Sall, M. & Kane, M. M., 2000. "Renewable energy activities in Senegal: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 4(1), pages 75-89, March.
    2. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M. & Tchinda, R., 2007. "Modelling of solar/diesel/battery hybrid power systems for far-north Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 832-844.
    3. Ketlogetswe, C. & Mothudi, T.H. & Mothibi, J., 2007. "Effectiveness of Botswana's policy on rural electrification," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 1330-1337, February.
    4. Byrne, John & Shen, Bo & Wallace, William, 1998. "The economics of sustainable energy for rural development: A study of renewable energy in rural China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 45-54, January.
    5. Ai, B. & Yang, H. & Shen, H. & Liao, X., 2003. "Computer-aided design of PV/wind hybrid system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(10), pages 1491-1512.
    6. Gustavsson, Mathias, 2007. "With time comes increased loads—An analysis of solar home system use in Lundazi, Zambia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 796-813.
    7. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M., 2009. "Feasibility of pico-hydro and photovoltaic hybrid power systems for remote villages in Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1445-1450.
    8. Pierre-Olivier Pineau, 2005. "Transparency in the dark: an assessment of the Cameroonian electricity sector reform," International Journal of Global Energy Issues, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 23(2/3), pages 133-168.
    9. Ahmad, G.E., 2002. "Photovoltaic-powered rural zone family house in Egypt," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 379-390.
    10. Bhuiyan, M.M.H & Asgar, M.Ali & Mazumder, R.K & Hussain, M, 2000. "Economic evaluation of a stand-alone residential photovoltaic power system in Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 403-410.
    11. Wamukonya, Njeri, 2007. "Solar home system electrification as a viable technology option for Africa's development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 6-14, January.
    12. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M. & Vandenbergh, M. & Schmid, J., 2008. "Simulation of off-grid generation options for remote villages in Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 1064-1072.
    13. Kolhe, Mohanlal & Kolhe, Sunita & Joshi, J. C., 2002. "Economic viability of stand-alone solar photovoltaic system in comparison with diesel-powered system for India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 155-165, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Abo-Elyousr, Farag K. & Elnozahy, Ahmed, 2018. "Bi-objective economic feasibility of hybrid micro-grid systems with multiple fuel options for islanded areas in Egypt," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PA), pages 37-56.
    2. Anderson Gwanyebit Kehbila & Dieudonne Alemagi & Peter Akong Minang, 2014. "Comparative Multi-Criteria Assessment of Climate Policies and Sustainable Development Strategies in Cameroon: Towards a GIS Decision-Support Tool for the Design of an Optimal REDD+ Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Abanda, F.H., 2012. "Renewable energy sources in Cameroon: Potentials, benefits and enabling environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4557-4562.
    4. Khan, Mohammad Junaid & Yadav, Amit Kumar & Mathew, Lini, 2017. "Techno economic feasibility analysis of different combinations of PV-Wind-Diesel-Battery hybrid system for telecommunication applications in different cities of Punjab, India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 577-607.
    5. Khoury, J. & Mbayed, R. & Salloum, G. & Monmasson, E. & Guerrero, J., 2016. "Review on the integration of photovoltaic renewable energy in developing countries—Special attention to the Lebanese case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 562-575.
    6. Trotter, Philipp A. & McManus, Marcelle C. & Maconachie, Roy, 2017. "Electricity planning and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1189-1209.
    7. Wang, Gang & Zhang, Zhen & Lin, Jianqing, 2024. "Multi-energy complementary power systems based on solar energy: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    8. Patel, Alpesh M. & Singal, Sunil Kumar, 2019. "Optimal component selection of integrated renewable energy system for power generation in stand-alone applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 481-504.
    9. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M., 2012. "Identification of stakeholders for sustainable renewable energy applications in Cameroon," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4661-4666.
    10. Moner-Girona, M. & Solano-Peralta, M. & Lazopoulou, M. & Ackom, E.K. & Vallve, X. & Szabó, S., 2018. "Electrification of Sub-Saharan Africa through PV/hybrid mini-grids: Reducing the gap between current business models and on-site experience," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1148-1161.
    11. Mandelli, Stefano & Barbieri, Jacopo & Mereu, Riccardo & Colombo, Emanuela, 2016. "Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1621-1646.
    12. Nfah, Eustace Mbaka, 2013. "Evaluation of optimal photovoltaic hybrid systems for remote villages in Far North Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 482-488.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chaurey, Akanksha & Kandpal, Tara Chandra, 2010. "Assessment and evaluation of PV based decentralized rural electrification: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(8), pages 2266-2278, October.
    2. Nfah, Eustace Mbaka, 2013. "Evaluation of optimal photovoltaic hybrid systems for remote villages in Far North Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 482-488.
    3. Trotter, Philipp A. & McManus, Marcelle C. & Maconachie, Roy, 2017. "Electricity planning and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1189-1209.
    4. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M., 2012. "Identification of stakeholders for sustainable renewable energy applications in Cameroon," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4661-4666.
    5. Mandelli, Stefano & Barbieri, Jacopo & Mereu, Riccardo & Colombo, Emanuela, 2016. "Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1621-1646.
    6. Muh, Erasmus & Tabet, Fouzi, 2019. "Comparative analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems for off-grid applications in Southern Cameroons," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 41-54.
    7. Abanda, F.H., 2012. "Renewable energy sources in Cameroon: Potentials, benefits and enabling environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4557-4562.
    8. Brunet, Carole & Savadogo, Oumarou & Baptiste, Pierre & Bouchard, Michel A., 2018. "Shedding some light on photovoltaic solar energy in Africa – A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 325-342.
    9. Thiam, Djiby-Racine, 2010. "Renewable decentralized in developing countries: Appraisal from microgrids project in Senegal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 1615-1623.
    10. Erdinc, O. & Uzunoglu, M., 2012. "Optimum design of hybrid renewable energy systems: Overview of different approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 1412-1425.
    11. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M., 2009. "Feasibility of pico-hydro and photovoltaic hybrid power systems for remote villages in Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1445-1450.
    12. Thiam, Djiby Racine, 2011. "An energy pricing scheme for the diffusion of decentralized renewable technology investment in developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(7), pages 4284-4297, July.
    13. Islam, Aminul & Chan, Eng-Seng & Taufiq-Yap, Yun Hin & Mondal, Md. Alam Hossain & Moniruzzaman, M. & Mridha, Moniruzzaman, 2014. "Energy security in Bangladesh perspective—An assessment and implication," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 154-171.
    14. Bahramara, S. & Moghaddam, M. Parsa & Haghifam, M.R., 2016. "Optimal planning of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 609-620.
    15. Kenfack, Joseph & Nzotcha, Urbain & Voufo, Joseph & Ngohe-Ekam, Paul Salomon & Nsangou, Jean Calvin & Bignom, Blaise, 2021. "Cameroon's hydropower potential and development under the vision of Central Africa power pool (CAPP): A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    16. Suberu, Mohammed Yekini & Mustafa, Mohd Wazir & Bashir, Nouruddeen & Muhamad, Nor Asiah & Mokhtar, Ahmad Safawi, 2013. "Power sector renewable energy integration for expanding access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 630-642.
    17. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M. & Vandenbergh, M. & Schmid, J., 2008. "Simulation of off-grid generation options for remote villages in Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 1064-1072.
    18. Purohit, Pallav, 2009. "CO2 emissions mitigation potential of solar home systems under clean development mechanism in India," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 1014-1023.
    19. Rona George Allwyn & Rashid Al Abri & Arif Malik & Amer Al-Hinai, 2021. "Economic Analysis of Replacing HPS Lamp with LED Lamp and Cost Estimation to Set Up PV/Battery System for Street Lighting in Oman," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-25, November.
    20. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M. & Tchinda, R., 2007. "Modelling of solar/diesel/battery hybrid power systems for far-north Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 832-844.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:35:y:2010:i:10:p:2391-2398. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.