Author
Otieno, J. O.; Omuto, C. T.; Gitau, A. A.

Year of Publishing
2018

Publisher
International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Institution
University of Nairobi, Kenya, Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering

Performance evaluation and economic analysis of solar photo-voltaic water pumping systems: Case of Abakore borehole water supply system in Kenya

Description:

A solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system was investigated to determine performance and
economic viability. An in-built data logger was used to collect real time data on key performance
parameters. Performance indicators were defined and determined, while economic viability was analyzed
using life-cycle cost (LCC) method and these costs were compared with a diesel generator pumping
system. Solar irradiance varied from 63 W/m2 to a peak of 857 W/m2, corresponding to a maximum power
output of 11.75 kW. PV array efficiency of 12.1%, sub-system efficiency of 91.82% and overall efficiency
of 5.14% were obtained, which are well comparable to the efficiencies reported elsewhere for similar
systems. The LCC analysis showed a 20 year average unit water cost of 0.25 US $/m3 for solar PV system
and 0.6 US $/m3 for diesel genset system. Solar PV system is found to be more cost effective and suitable
for use over conventional sources.


Bibliographical Information:

Otieno, J. O.; Omuto, C. T.; Gitau, A. A. (2018) Performance evaluation and economic analysis of solar photo-voltaic water pumping systems: Case of Abakore borehole water supply system in Kenya. , University of Nairobi, Kenya, Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering , International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering


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