Techno-Economic Feasibility of Off-Grid Renewable Energy Systems: A Comparative Case Study

Off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are a vital solution to electrification in remote or rural areas where the grid connection is not feasible due to geographical constraints and high deployment costs. Despite the intermittency of power generation through sunlight, energy storage systems such as batteries enhance the stability and reliability of a standalone system, improving access to electricity. The PV systems' lack of moving parts and low maintenance compared to alternative generation sources such as diesel generators (DGs) or wind turbines are an added benefit to areas lacking access. With the global move towards utilizing cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, there is a solid motivation to deploy off-grid PV systems to replace traditional DGs. With the levelized cost of electricity as the primary key performance indicator, this paper compares different energy sources and configurations. This comparative case study first investigates the crucial elements, such as capital, operation, and maintenance expenditures. These factors can affect the cost competitiveness of off-grid PV systems in various settings. Further analysis points out key aspects that affect the PV systems' economic viability in different parts of the world.