Modeling of the Solar Photovoltaic Systems to Fulfill the Energy Demand of the Domestic Sector of Pakistan using RETSCREEN Software

Pakistan is facing severe energy crisis even having a great potential of renewable energy resourcesespecially solar energy. Pakistan has similar to 2.9 million MW potential of electricity generation using solar energy (PV) which is hardly exploited. Current articleis focused to analyze the implementation of solar photovoltaic for the domestic sector of Pakistan where blackouts of 6 to 7 hours are common. Current study is conducted for six major cities of Pakistan named Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Quetta and Peshawar occupying different climatic and geographical positionsusing RETSCREEN software. Weather information of these cities is imported from RETSCREEN software database reported by NASA. The role of solar irradiance and load correlation with respect to ambient conditions is compared and resultant solar fraction is observed. Modeling work is evaluated on the basis of NPV, IRR, payback periods and GHG emissions reduction obtained for pointing out the feasibility of solar PV implementation leading towards green growth of Pakistan. Results indicate that implementation of a 5kW standalone solar PV system will result in 0.6-0.7tCO(2) reductions in GHG emissions in different regions of Pakistan under prevailing climatic conditions. Installation of solar PV systems will contribute largely in sharing power loadthat will lead to improved energy situation and reduced environmental emissions concerns in the country.