Life Cycle Cost Method for Evaluating The Performance of Solar Power Plants in Operation for Over 5 Years Case Study in Tropical Region

A solar power plant generates optimal output when it receives radiation (sun peak hours) of 1000 W/m², following Standard Test Conditions (STC), and when all production equipment operates efficiently. The equipment will function well if optimal maintenance is performed. In this study, the PLTS is located between the Earth's latitudes of 0° and 23.5° N and 0° and 23.5° S, which falls within a tropical climate zone. Based on measurements from January to August 2024, the value of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), or the total amount of solar radiation falling on a flat (horizontal) surface, reached a maximum intensity of 1000 W/m² at the research location, which was only achieved for 3 to 4 hours. According to project planning data, the estimated maintenance cost is USD 22/kWp per year. However, the initial project data does not specify the maintenance activities required for the plant. Solar power plants are generally considered low-maintenance, typically requiring only routine maintenance. Optimal expenditure is necessary to maintain the health of the plant’s equipment, ensuring that production output remains optimal. Based on cost management principles [1], the life cycle cost (LCC) method can be used to calculate the total expenses incurred throughout the plant’s lifespan, which can then be compared to total production over the same period. This study examines both investment costs and maintenance activities. A simulation of energy cost calculations (LCOE) was carried out using three different maintenance scenarios. The comparison of maintenance activity scenarios over 20 years based on the LCC method shows that optimal production is achieved in Scenario 3, with 24,112,415 kWh generated, an LCC of IDR 31,938,987,291 and a Levelized Cost of Energy (COE) of IDR 1,325 per kWh.