Are solar PV projects feasible in Benin?

This study considers a 10.0 MW grid-tied system in seven different regions to evaluate the feasibility of solar PV projects in Benin. Grid-connected solar PV systems have two main components: the PV array and the inverter. The connection to the national grid is done using appropriate inverters that must be carefully selected (Etier et al., 2015).

Should Benin implement a grid-tied solar photovoltaic project?

The country must foster the development of policies that can accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects and promote the use of new technologies for a cleaner and safer environment. The study results could guide Benin and other developing countries willing to implement a utility-scale grid-tied solar photovoltaic project.

Could incentives and subsidies increase solar PV investment in Benin?

The findings show that incentives and subsidies could lower the LCOE and increase solar PV investment in Benin. Investing in utility-scale PV systems could help Benin increase its electricity access rate and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions for sustainable development.

How much does a photovoltaic power plant cost in Benin?

Photovoltaic power plants' levelized cost of energy ranges from 0.11 USD/kWh to 0.125 USD/kWh. Incentives and subsidies could lower the levelized cost of energy and increase solar photovoltaic investment in Benin. About 60.0% of Benin's population currently lacks access to reliable electricity to perform their daily activities.

Could a solar power plant increase Benin's electricity rate?

Based on this current data, it can be deduced that using the 10.0 MW solar power plant for electricity generation could increase Benin's electricity rate by about 1.8%. This means that putting in the 10.0 MW at all the suggested sites could give about 12.0% more people access to electricity.

How much electricity does Benin use?

According to the World Bank (2022a), Benin's annual electricity consumption per capita is about 100.225 kWh. This indicates that approximately 131,920 people could be supplied with electricity from the 10.0 MW solar power plant using 13,221.7 MWh as the benchmark.