Developing a case study for efficient utilization of solar PV systems in Somalia

This thesis explores the potential of photovoltaic systems as a solution to Somalia's power problems, such as lack of access and high costs. The study looks at a rural area called Jazeera, 15km away from Mogadishu, which faces power shortages. The results show that grid extension and microgrid systems are not cost-effective, but solar home systems are suitable solutions for homes that fall into three categories according to power consumption. The thesis also analyzed Safari Hotel, located at latitude (2.033) and longitude (45.3044), where electricity bills are high, the design and investigation of this project is carried out by using a mathematical approach and Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) for getting all necessary data and calculating monthly and annual PV generation in this project. The result showed that hybrid and grid-connected solar systems could reduce costs by at least fifty percent. 126 solar panels, 72 batteries, and 4 inverters would be required for a hybrid solar PV system; the estimated capital cost for this system is $83,800, and this system has an estimated payback period of 2.5 years, while the grid-connected solar system in this study used two different feed-in-tariff models: a grid-tied PV system that uses the gross metering billing method would require 189 solar panels and 5 grid-tied inverters; this system has the annual capability of producing 175223.24 kWh; the estimated capital cost for this system is $33,490 with a 1-year payback period; while another one that uses the net metering billing method would require 126 solar panels and 4 grid-tied inverters, this system has the annual capability of producing 116815 kWh; the estimated capital cost for this system is $25,000 with a 9-month payback period. Through the use of the designs and analyses in this thesis, there is a chance of eliminating at least 93452.456 kg per year of carbon dioxide that would have been emitted from a diesel generator producing the same amount of electricity. This also provides an opportunity to save $33,292 per year that would have been paid to electric utility companies. This thesis concludes that solar energy is the best solution for Somalia's electricity challenges.