Techno-Economical Analysis of Solar PV Systems for Electrification of Workers' Buildings at Al-Wahdah Cement Factory–Yemen

In recent years, the prevailing economic challenges in Yemen have resulted in widespread power outages, leading to a sharp increase in fuel prices. To mitigate the economic impact, many cities, factories, and industrial facilities have relied on diesel generators to cover their electricity needs, despite the high cost of fuel. Therefore, this study presented the design and economic feasibility of a standalone PV system to supply electricity for the workers' buildings at the Al-Wahdah Cement Factory in order to reduce fuel consumption and decrease the electricity bill. The theoretical sizing calculation was proven using the PVSyst program, and the final simulation of a stand-alone photovoltaic system recommended a PV capacity of 201 kW, a performance ratio of the system of 76.4%, and a solar fraction of 95.7%. Finally, the economic results showed that the price of electricity produced by the PV system was $0.14/kWh. This price was considerably less than the $0.60/kWh paid to generators powered by diesel. Additionally, the PV system yielded environmental benefits by saving 2483.46 tons of CO
2
emissions during the project's lifespan. Therefore, using solar PV systems represents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel power generators that consume fuel at a high cost in Yemen.