Optimized Sizing of Stand-Alone PV Systems for Off-Grid Electrification

With decreasing cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, increasing influx of efficient DC loads and maturing storage technology, off-grid electrification is becoming viable in many remote areas of the developing world. However, the availability or the reliability of supply must be viewed in context of the associated costs. So, in this work, we develop a framework for optimum system sizing (PV and storage) with reference to the Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP). The assessment is provided for a yearlong data for three load categories of 0.5 kWh, 2 kWh and 6 kWh daily consumption (varying throughout the year on hourly granularity). For instance, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) analysis shows for LPSP of 10%, 5% and 2.5%, the LCOE is 8.26, 9.46 and 11.20 cents/kWh, respectively for the 6kWh consumer category with optimum system sizing. Therefore, the methodology developed and the results shown in this work will be very useful in making optimum sizing choices for rural electrification through stand-Alone PV systems reducing the overall costs and barriers to the entry.