Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study

Bijay Basnet; Jeevan Bhandari; Jahir Ahmad Jibran

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study

Bijay Basnet, Jeevan Bhandari, Jahir Ahmad Jibran^*

Published in American Journal of Modern Energy (Volume 9, Issue 3)

Received: 19 September 2023 Accepted: 3 November 2023 Published: 11 December 2023

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Abstract

This paper presents a thorough study conducted in Gokule village, located in the Kavreplanchowk district of Nepal, to address the prevalent electricity problem in the Socio-economically backward Magar community. The village is still not connected to NEA's Grid, giving the locals inadequate energy access. With an average solar radiation level of 4.51 kWh/m2/day and an appropriate temperature range, the area has much solar energy potential, reflecting a reasonable and ecologically straightforward answer to this electricity problem. The research utilized questionnaires to assess the electricity demand and socioeconomic condition, and a simulation was done in PV Syst software to evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of applying a solar mini-grid project in the area. The Metronome database was used for the simulation purpose. Findings exposed a pressing electricity need of 567 kWh/day in the community, which remained unmet. The project cost was $178,933.22, with a levelized electricity (LCOE) cost of $0.012 per kWh. The study also has shown a promising return on investment (ROI) of 119.7% and a payback period of 12.9 years. Based on these findings, a suggested standalone mini-grid system with a capacity of 143 kW was proposed to meet the demand efficiently. The research highlights the technical and economic feasibility of the solar mini-grid project, showcasing its potential to enhance the socioeconomic conditions of the community.

Published in	American Journal of Modern Energy (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
Page(s)	65-76
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Assessments, Feasibility, Radiation, Mini-Grid, PV Syst

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APA Style

Basnet, B., Bhandari, J., Ahmad Jibran, J. (2023). Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study. American Journal of Modern Energy, 9(3), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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ACS Style

Basnet, B.; Bhandari, J.; Ahmad Jibran, J. Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study. Am. J. Mod. Energy 2023, 9(3), 65-76. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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AMA Style

Basnet B, Bhandari J, Ahmad Jibran J. Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study. Am J Mod Energy. 2023;9(3):65-76. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12,
  author = {Bijay Basnet and Jeevan Bhandari and Jahir Ahmad Jibran},
  title = {Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study},
  journal = {American Journal of Modern Energy},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {65-76},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajme.20230903.12},
  abstract = {This paper presents a thorough study conducted in Gokule village, located in the Kavreplanchowk district of Nepal, to address the prevalent electricity problem in the Socio-economically backward Magar community. The village is still not connected to NEA's Grid, giving the locals inadequate energy access. With an average solar radiation level of 4.51 kWh/m2/day and an appropriate temperature range, the area has much solar energy potential, reflecting a reasonable and ecologically straightforward answer to this electricity problem. The research utilized questionnaires to assess the electricity demand and socioeconomic condition, and a simulation was done in PV Syst software to evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of applying a solar mini-grid project in the area. The Metronome database was used for the simulation purpose. Findings exposed a pressing electricity need of 567 kWh/day in the community, which remained unmet. The project cost was $178,933.22, with a levelized electricity (LCOE) cost of $0.012 per kWh. The study also has shown a promising return on investment (ROI) of 119.7% and a payback period of 12.9 years. Based on these findings, a suggested standalone mini-grid system with a capacity of 143 kW was proposed to meet the demand efficiently. The research highlights the technical and economic feasibility of the solar mini-grid project, showcasing its potential to enhance the socioeconomic conditions of the community.
},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study
AU  - Bijay Basnet
AU  - Jeevan Bhandari
AU  - Jahir Ahmad Jibran
Y1  - 2023/12/11
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
T2  - American Journal of Modern Energy
JF  - American Journal of Modern Energy
JO  - American Journal of Modern Energy
SP  - 65
EP  - 76
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3797
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
AB  - This paper presents a thorough study conducted in Gokule village, located in the Kavreplanchowk district of Nepal, to address the prevalent electricity problem in the Socio-economically backward Magar community. The village is still not connected to NEA's Grid, giving the locals inadequate energy access. With an average solar radiation level of 4.51 kWh/m2/day and an appropriate temperature range, the area has much solar energy potential, reflecting a reasonable and ecologically straightforward answer to this electricity problem. The research utilized questionnaires to assess the electricity demand and socioeconomic condition, and a simulation was done in PV Syst software to evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of applying a solar mini-grid project in the area. The Metronome database was used for the simulation purpose. Findings exposed a pressing electricity need of 567 kWh/day in the community, which remained unmet. The project cost was $178,933.22, with a levelized electricity (LCOE) cost of $0.012 per kWh. The study also has shown a promising return on investment (ROI) of 119.7% and a payback period of 12.9 years. Based on these findings, a suggested standalone mini-grid system with a capacity of 143 kW was proposed to meet the demand efficiently. The research highlights the technical and economic feasibility of the solar mini-grid project, showcasing its potential to enhance the socioeconomic conditions of the community.

VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Bijay Basnet

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Bagmati, Nepal

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Jeevan Bhandari

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Bagmati, Nepal

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Jahir Ahmad Jibran

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Bagmati, Nepal

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APA Style

Basnet, B., Bhandari, J., Ahmad Jibran, J. (2023). Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study. American Journal of Modern Energy, 9(3), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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ACS Style

Basnet, B.; Bhandari, J.; Ahmad Jibran, J. Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study. Am. J. Mod. Energy 2023, 9(3), 65-76. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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AMA Style

Basnet B, Bhandari J, Ahmad Jibran J. Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study. Am J Mod Energy. 2023;9(3):65-76. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12,
  author = {Bijay Basnet and Jeevan Bhandari and Jahir Ahmad Jibran},
  title = {Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study},
  journal = {American Journal of Modern Energy},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {65-76},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajme.20230903.12},
  abstract = {This paper presents a thorough study conducted in Gokule village, located in the Kavreplanchowk district of Nepal, to address the prevalent electricity problem in the Socio-economically backward Magar community. The village is still not connected to NEA's Grid, giving the locals inadequate energy access. With an average solar radiation level of 4.51 kWh/m2/day and an appropriate temperature range, the area has much solar energy potential, reflecting a reasonable and ecologically straightforward answer to this electricity problem. The research utilized questionnaires to assess the electricity demand and socioeconomic condition, and a simulation was done in PV Syst software to evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of applying a solar mini-grid project in the area. The Metronome database was used for the simulation purpose. Findings exposed a pressing electricity need of 567 kWh/day in the community, which remained unmet. The project cost was $178,933.22, with a levelized electricity (LCOE) cost of $0.012 per kWh. The study also has shown a promising return on investment (ROI) of 119.7% and a payback period of 12.9 years. Based on these findings, a suggested standalone mini-grid system with a capacity of 143 kW was proposed to meet the demand efficiently. The research highlights the technical and economic feasibility of the solar mini-grid project, showcasing its potential to enhance the socioeconomic conditions of the community.
},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of 143kW Solar Mini Grid for Rural Electrification in Gokule Village - A Case Study
AU  - Bijay Basnet
AU  - Jeevan Bhandari
AU  - Jahir Ahmad Jibran
Y1  - 2023/12/11
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
T2  - American Journal of Modern Energy
JF  - American Journal of Modern Energy
JO  - American Journal of Modern Energy
SP  - 65
EP  - 76
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3797
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20230903.12
AB  - This paper presents a thorough study conducted in Gokule village, located in the Kavreplanchowk district of Nepal, to address the prevalent electricity problem in the Socio-economically backward Magar community. The village is still not connected to NEA's Grid, giving the locals inadequate energy access. With an average solar radiation level of 4.51 kWh/m2/day and an appropriate temperature range, the area has much solar energy potential, reflecting a reasonable and ecologically straightforward answer to this electricity problem. The research utilized questionnaires to assess the electricity demand and socioeconomic condition, and a simulation was done in PV Syst software to evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of applying a solar mini-grid project in the area. The Metronome database was used for the simulation purpose. Findings exposed a pressing electricity need of 567 kWh/day in the community, which remained unmet. The project cost was $178,933.22, with a levelized electricity (LCOE) cost of $0.012 per kWh. The study also has shown a promising return on investment (ROI) of 119.7% and a payback period of 12.9 years. Based on these findings, a suggested standalone mini-grid system with a capacity of 143 kW was proposed to meet the demand efficiently. The research highlights the technical and economic feasibility of the solar mini-grid project, showcasing its potential to enhance the socioeconomic conditions of the community.

VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

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