Feasibility study of a grid connected hybrid PV-wind power plant in Gwanda, Zimbabwe

The depletion of fossil fuel resources on worldwide basis has necessitated an urgent search for alternative energy sources to meet up the present day demands. Energy demand is growing in developing nations which makes a hybrid power system, consisting of a hybrid Solar Photovoltaic together with wind energy to be considered one of the best alternatives in renewable energy. These sources of energy can partially or fully meet Gwanda's demand with little or no disturbance on the country's stability. The objective of this study is to convert the wind and solar resources in Gwanda into electrical energy to meet the growing demand. This system ensures a suitable utilization of resources and hence improves the efficiency as compared with their individual modes of generation. The annual energy generated by the hybrid system is calculated and energy accounting is performed according to the demand. The main goal is to have a hybrid system with a suitable Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). Comparative analysis was made with the existing grid tariff of Zimbabwe to investigate the feasibility of such a system.