Impact of Module Degradation on the Viability of On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems in Mediterranean Climate: The Case of Shymkent Airport

Zhalgas Smagulov; Adil Anapiya; Dinara Dikhanbayeva; Luis Rojas-Solorzano

doi:10.14710/ijred.2021.33485

Impact of Module Degradation on the Viability of On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems in Mediterranean Climate: The Case of Shymkent Airport

Zhalgas Smagulov, Adil Anapiya, Dinara Dikhanbayeva, Luis Rojas-Solorzano

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.2021.33485

Abstract

This paper presents the techno-economic feasibility analysis of an on-grid Photovoltaic Solar System (PVSS) subject to Mediterranean climate aging effects. The PVSS under study is considered installed on the roof of Shymkent airport, located in southern Kazakhstan. A PVSS performance degradation rate of 1.48%-per-annun was considered according to the Mediterranean climate prevailing in the location. A 25-year life-cycle cost analysis comparing the rated vs. de-rated on-grid PVSS led to a positive Net Present Value (NPV), a less than 9-year equity payback, and favorable internal rate of return (IRR) and Benefit-to-Cost (B-C) ratio in both conditions. However, the de-rated PVSS system underperformed in 16.2%, 43.5% and 20% the IRR, NPV and B-C ratio, respectively. The analysis demonstrates that despite the expected performance degradation associated to climatic aging, a convenient feed-in tariff (FIT) and attractive financial conditions, such as those present in Kazakhstan, conform a robust setting to promote on-grid PVSS in the country.

Keywords

Photovoltaic systems; PVSS degradation; Mediterranean climate; renewable energy; solar energy

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References

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