Standalone and Minigrid-Connected Solar Energy Systems for Rural Application in Rwanda: An In Situ Study

In recent years, several factors such as environmental pollution, declining fossil fuel supplies, and product price volatility have led to most countries investing in renewable energy sources. particular, the development of photovoltaic (PV) microgrids, which can be standalone, off-grid connected or grid-connected, is seen one viable solutions that could help developing Rwanda minimize problems related shortage. The country’s current electrification rate estimated 59.7%, hydropower remains Rwanda’s primary source (with over 43.8% its total supplies) despite advances solar technology. order provide affordable electricity low-income households, government has pledged achieve 48% overal goals from systems by 2024. this paper, we develop a cost-effective power generation model for PV system households rural areas at reduced cost. A performance comparison between single household microgrid conducted efficient low-cost systems. battery these two 1.6 kWh daily load with 0.30 kW peak 193.05 kWh/day 20.64 an microgrid. hybrid optimization electric (HOMER) software used determine size life cycle cost including levelized (LCOE) net present (NPC) each models. analysis shows optimal system’s NPC, LCOE, production, operating are 1,166,898.0 USD, 1.28 (USD/kWh), 221, 715.0 (kWh per year, 37,965.91 (USD year), respectively, 9284.4(USD), 1.23 2426.0 428.08 (standalone). LCOE standalone independent was found compared supplies community Rwanda.