Performance Analysis of an Off-Grid System in The Gambia: A Case Study of a 120 kWp Solar Installation at Nyamanarri Village
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Aims: Despite recent improvements, providing universal access to electricity is still a significant problem in many sub-Saharan African nations, especially in rural areas. Due to this difficulty, solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid systems have become a viable off-grid electrification option. Their actual effectiveness and dependability in practical applications, however, are not well understood. This study investigates the dependability and performance of a 120 kWp off-grid photovoltaic mini-grid system erected in a remote village in The Gambia using real-time monitored data and IEC's evaluation standard. Place of Study: A 120 kWp off-grid PV mini-grid was built in Nyamanarri (130 20’ 03” North and 130 52’ 08” West) in the Upper River Region of The Gambia. Methodology: The study was based on data on energy production as a function of energy generation and consumption from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023. Analysis was carried out using R software to obtain some results. Results: The results revealed that the mini-grid generated 449.98 kWh of electricity per day, which was 570.02 kWh fewer than the predicted 1020 kWh per day (62.54% less). The load, on the other hand, received 87.3% of the average daily electrical generation. The differences can be explained by system losses of 14.48 kWh/kWp/month and average PV capture losses of 62.87 kWh/kWp/month. The findings of the performance evaluation showed that the mini-grid system is not doing well; the average on-site module efficiency (ηpc), performance ratio (PR), capacity factor (CF), and overall system efficiency (ηsys) were 12.4 %, 56.37 %, 13.644 % and 19.53 %, respectively. The daily PV energy output was found to be insufficient to fulfill the daily demand. Consequently, the load shedding is 12 hours every day, from 13:00 to 15:00 and again 18:00 to 19:00 and again from 1:00 to 10:00. Conclusion: To ensure high performance and reliability of off-grid PV mini-grid systems, the study showed that precise demand assessment and robust system sizing are essential, taking into account the influence of local meteorological conditions and future development in power demand.
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410099285