Modelling and Analysis of a ۱-Megawatt Solar Power Plant in Andimeshk Using RETScreen Software

One of the most important challenges in recent decades has been the issue of energy and sustainable resource supply. Currently, nearly all of the world's population has accepted that by the end of this century, fossil fuel resources will be depleted. The best alternative option will be renewable energies, especially solar energy. On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that different regions of the world have varying capabilities for producing and utilizing solar energy; therefore, it is necessary to identify these energy production capabilities. Andimeshk County, located in Khuzestan province, has the best location for establishing a solar power plant in this province. In this research, a one-megawatt power plant has been modeled using RETScreen software, examining topics such as payback period, internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduction. Ultimately, considering the conditions taken into account, the payback period according to the power purchase agreement at a bidding price of $۰.۰۷۳ per kilowatt-hour is approximately ۳ years, and it is estimated that around ۱,۰۰۹ tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced annually in the region.

Keywords:

Economic analysis , solar power plant , RETScreen , environmental assessment