Hybrid Solar-Diesel Power Generation

1. Energy Resilience and Hybrid System Optimization

• Designed multiple hybrid power configurations to balance solar generation with diesel or bioenergy backup.

• Proposed grid-connected microgrid architecture for flexibility and reliability.

• Evaluated both fixed-tilt and single-axis tracking solar array designs for maximum energy yield.

2. Technical and Economic Modeling

• Evaluated five system options ranging from solar-only (36 MW or 100 MW) to hybrid solar-diesel and solar-bioenergy combinations.

• Assessed system performance, land use, capital costs, and LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity).

• Identified a 100 MW solar + 80 MW bioenergy hybrid system as the most efficient in reducing diesel reliance.

3. Cost and Environmental Savings

• Estimated annual diesel-only energy cost: $52.56M

• Hybrid solar-diesel system reduces this to $32.85M, yielding a $19.71M annual saving (~37.5%).

• Further savings of up to 80% achievable with solar + bioenergy configurations.

• Solar system would require ~250,000 panels, covering 2.1 million m².

 Engineering and System Design

• Proposed scalable PV system based on high-efficiency panels (250–350W), integrated with inverters, substations, switchgear, and monitoring systems.

• Conducted solar resource analysis using PVGIS tools.

Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance

• Estimated GHI at the project site: 2,264 kWh/m²/year, confirming suitability for solar investment.

• Conducted topographic, geotechnical, hydrological, and environmental impact studies.

• Ensured alignment with environmental permitting and land-use requirements.

Project Delivery Model

• Recommended development through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) using an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model with a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

• Outlined necessary contractual framework: implementation agreement, land lease, grid connection, generation license, and direct agreements.

 Conclusion

The study demonstrated that a hybrid solar-diesel or solar-bioenergy solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally sustainable path for powering industrial operations in areas with unreliable grid access. The recommended system not only meets technical and economic feasibility but also supports broader renewable energy goals in the region.