A Solar PV Hybrid System Sizing Procedure for the South African Tourism Industry

Tourism is a crucial industry, contributing 6.4% to South Africa's GDP. Yet, the country has suffered from scheduled power outages commonly known as Load Shedding. The South African government's commitment to developing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems is crucial for energy stability. However, current sizing methods often lead to inefficiency and low return on investment, by inaccurately selecting the PV generation and battery capacity to meet the energy demand. This study introduces the Solar PV Hybrid and Battery Sizing Procedure (SoHUBS), aimed at accurately sizing Solar PV Hybrid Systems specifically for the South African tourism sector. SoHUBS uses tools for accurate energy consumption forecasting and energy savings estimation when integrating solar PV with battery storage. Validated through post-installation data, SoHUBS demonstrated greater accuracy over conventional and consultant-based methods, with lower Energy Savings Error (ESE). The proposed procedure allows designers to tailor the solution to meet the clients requirements of reducing grid reliance and increasing energy sustainability. The study's results indicate that employing SoHUBS as a solar PV Hybrid system sizing procedure enhances financial viability by lowering grid energy consumption, thereby reducing environmental impact. Additionally, it contributes to load shedding mitigation, strengthening business energy resilience, and subsequently improving social and economic resilience to the country's current energy crisis.