Techno-economic feasibility analysis of a battery energy storage system assisted solar photovoltaic power plant: a case study

This study presents a comprehensive comparison of the performance and economic analyses of two large-scale, 1 MW-output, ground-mounted solar power plants. The projects are assumed to be constructed with the same equipment and located at the same location. One project is a conventional photovoltaic (PV) power plant, while the other is evaluated with a battery energy storage system (BESS) integrated into the conventional system. The system integrated with the BESS operates using a peak-shaving method, with the primary objective of storing more than 1 MW of energy during the daytime to ensure PV system sustainability and provide energy demand during peak demand periods after sunset. Both systems were designed separately in a common simulation program and evaluated from a performance and techno-economic perspective. The results showed that the BESS integration increased the amount of energy injected to the grid by 153.18 MWh per year and improved performance by 4.8%. However, feasibility studies revealed a significant increase in economic costs. Technical findings demonstrate that BESS integration has a positive impact on PV systems and that PV systems with storage have the potential to become a continuous energy source with advancements in battery technology. This study provides important technical insights for system designers, investors, and researchers regarding BESS integration in PV systems. Keywords: Peak-shaving, BESS integration, PV, Energy storage