Development of pre-sizing techno-economic Matlab code for grid-connected PV system, using four cities in Egypt

摘要

System sizing is necessary for evaluating the PV system as first step before investing at a given project. However, there is a lack of developing MATLAB code for grid-connected system to present a techno-economic solution taking into consideration the less running time and covering our local needs. This paper aims to develop a pre-sizing offline tool using MATLAB software. Moreover, the developed code is integrated with tariffs and electricity bills for both low and medium voltages including all sectors. Furthermore, the tool is applied for all applicable areas like rooftop industrial shed and ground mounted. Hence, Egypt was applied in this tool through selecting four locations Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Hurghada. Case studies were sized using MATLAB code and validated by PVsyst, as result the percentage of error ranges from 1 to 6%. Additionally, developed code shows the capability of giving a full techno-economic solution in preliminary design stage. The results showed that Aswan was the best location for installing PV system technically and economically where the highest specific yield and capacity factor recorded were 2062 kWh/kWp/year, 24% respectively. Moreover, the lowest levelized cost of energy and simple payback period 0.56 EGP/kWh, 4.3 years respectively were recorder in Aswan.