Techno-Economic Analysis of Grid Connected Solar PV and Biogas Based Electricity Generation for Dairy Farm in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study conducts a techno-economic analysis of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) and biogas-based electricity generation for Amin Mohammad Group Agro Ltd., a dairy farm that is located at Ashulia Model Town-2, Khagan, Savar, Dhaka (23° 52' 57" N, 90° 18' 47" E). The objective is to assess the feasibility and economic viability of integrating these renewable energy sources to meet the Amin Mohammad Group Agro Ltd. farm's electricity demand. We analyzed optimization results for solar radiation of 4.66 kWh/m²/day, biomass resource of 5.91 tonnes/day, and load demand of 1,186 kWh/day. We used 180 KW of PV, a 40 KW biogas generator, and a 180 KW converter with a utility grid connection by net metering. The simulated cost of electricity is $0.052/kWh, with a net present cost of $285,669 and an operating cost of $9,344/yr. The system will consume 936 tonnes of biomass per year to supply electricity. HOMER software is employed for modeling and simulating various scenarios, considering solar irradiance, biogas production, system components, and economic parameters. Results demonstrate that a hybrid system of grid-connected solar PV and biogas generation can effectively fulfill the Amin Mohammad Group Agro Ltd. farm's electricity needs, reducing grid dependency and greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the importance of using HOMER software for techno-economic analysis, providing insights into the viability and economic benefits of grid-connected solar PV and biogas-based electricity generation for dairy farms in Bangladesh, contributing to sustainable energy solutions in the agricultural sector. Keywords: PV, HOMER, biogas, W, KW, kWh etc.