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Title: Optimization and life-cycle cost of health clinic PV system for a rural area in southern Iraq using HOMER software

Journal Article · · Solar Energy
;  [1]
  1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401 (United States)

This paper addresses the need for electricity of rural areas in southern Iraq and proposes a photovoltaic (PV) solar system to power a health clinic in that region. The total daily health clinic load is 31.6 kW h and detailed loads are listed. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) optimization computer model for distributed power, ''HOMER,'' is used to estimate the system size and its life-cycle cost. The analysis shows that the optimal system's initial cost, net present cost, and electricity cost is US$ 50,700, US$ 60,375, and US$ 0.238/kW h, respectively. These values for the PV system are compared with those of a generator alone used to supply the load. We found that the initial cost, net present cost of the generator system, and electricity cost are US$ 4500, US$ 352,303, and US$ 1.332/kW h, respectively. We conclude that using the PV system is justified on humanitarian, technical, and economic grounds. (author)

OSTI ID:
21305753
Journal Information:
Solar Energy, Vol. 84, Issue 4; Conference: International Conference CISBAT 2007; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved; ISSN 0038-092X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English