Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Agricultural Engineering Research Department, West Azerbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Urmia, Iran
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study comprehensively evaluates the technical and economic performance of grid-connected pvsyst in Urmia and Kashan, comparing them with an off-grid system in pvsyst. The results indicate that the grid-connected system in Kashan, benefiting from higher solar irradiation, achieves superior performance compared to Urmia. High energy consumption by auxiliary equipment, particularly a constant 5 kW nighttime load, was a major challenge for both systems, with a more pronounced impact in Urmia due to lower energy production. Thermal losses and long-term module efficiency degradation also affected performance. Economically, grid-connected systems demonstrate high investment attractiveness, with a payback period of 3 years, an internal rate of return of 71.99%, and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of approximately 2,700 IRR/kWh, assuming accurate input data. These systems also offer significant environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, the off-grid system faced a 31% energy shortage, compromising its reliability for critical applications, with energy wastage during battery saturation periods indicating suboptimal capacity design. The off-grid system’s LCOE is substantially higher due to high initial battery costs, periodic replacement expenses, and lower efficiency. The analysis confirms that grid-connected systems, when supported by reliable grid infrastructure, provide superior technical and economic performance compared to off-grid systems, which are primarily viable in remote areas without grid access. However, the sustainability and economic viability of grid-connected systems heavily depend on supportive policies and stable regulatory frameworks.
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