Comparative analysis of economic aspects of concentrated solar power versus photovoltaic in Afghanistan - Case study: Kang district, Nimruz

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impacts of whole solar energy technologies on the economic situation of Afghanistan. Details and positive effects of solar mini-grids which are implemented through the Citizens’ Charter National Priority Program CCNPP in the rural areas of Afghanistan are given as samples of solar energy projects in Afghanistan. The result of this analysis then compared with the fossil fuel electricity that people use in the rural areas of Afghanistan based on the economic effects. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for electricity generated through the diesel generator is estimated to be 29 ¢/kWh, which is 3.16 times higher than the cost of electricity produced via photovoltaic (PV) in 9.17 ¢/kWh. The potential for solar thermal as a recently boomed technology in the world is also studied with regard to the climate, economy, and security situation of Afghanistan. The country with 300 sunny days in a year has 1900-2000 kWh/m2 potential of producing electricity through the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) the Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) is selected as an optimal type of CSP in Afghanistan and a 3.5 MW PTC power plant is simulated via the System Advisor Model (SAM) software. The result of this simulation shows that this novel technology in Afghanistan needs more time and efforts to set as a secure approach of energy