Techno-Economic Energy Analysis of the Solar System: A Case Study for the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

The photovoltaic/utility grid (PV/UG) system is considered the fundamental response to fuel resource scarcity. The first factor that needs to be carefully considered before the system is installed is its total cost. This paper thoroughly analyzes a PV/UG system’s performance. Each source’s cost per kilowatt is determined, and the total cost of PV, including installation and operating expenses, is computed. The study was conducted at the University of Business and Technology in North Obhur, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Real and actual data, such as the amount of power generated by a PV array and the cost of all system components, were used in this design. Using daily data of the load demand, insulation, and temperature at the Jeddah site, a simulation was run using the PV system’s software to determine the design. The university was divided into four zones based on power switches and splitters. The cost of each zone, the required elements, and the number of panels were calculated using the software. Additionally, the power production was calculated. The total savings in the four zones were 345,872 Saudi Riyal per year, representing 31.5% of the amount paid, and the total power production was 1,670,880 MW output from the designed system of 1603 solar panels.