Evaluation of 4-kW PV and 169-kW PV Array

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are gaining traction globally as renewable electric power sources and alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-generated power. This study investigates how useful alternative energy sources are explicitly concerned with an industrial-sized system (169-kW, three-phase) and a domestic system (4-kW, single-phase). The results should assist decision-makers in their quest to decarbonize their electrical energy requirements, as recommended by governments in many countries worldwide. A case study methodology was employed to examine two cases, each with different power-output values. The research found that a larger system (industrial) is economically viable compared to a smaller (domestic) system. The economic assessment of the industrial system found a payback period of eight years, a net present value (NPV) of €172,227, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 13%. The economic evaluation of the domestic system found a payback period of 20 years, an NPV of €−1269, and an IRR of 2.9%. Technical performance evaluation found that both systems generated good quality and stable power, based on their coefficients of variation. The scales of solar PV systems significantly affect their outcomes, with larger systems performing better than smaller versions. Within the long-term efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, a collaborative approach between solar PV and other renewable energy sources and energy storage must be developed.