The potential of grid-connected photovoltaic power systems with silicon solar cells based on economic and greenhouse gases emission analysis in Tehran, Iran, using RETScreen software

In spite of Iran’s vast reserves of fossil fuels, the country is potentially one of the best regions for solar energy, and experiences three hundred sunny days per year on two-thirds of its land area. This study investigates viability of 20 KW and 1 MW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants with silicon solar cells using RETScreen (a clean energy management software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis) to predict energy output at Mehrabad international airport, Tehran, Iran. In this work parameters such as energy production, mitigation of CO2 emission, financial analysis was examined. According to the simulation results based on the new feed in tariffs for renewable energy sources and estimated initial and periodic costs for 20 KW and 1 MW PV power plants in Iran, there are solar PV energy potentials for low-capacity PV power plants for this location.

Keywords:

renewable energy , feasibility study , GHG emission reduction , simulation , RETScreen