108 kWp Grid-Connected Solar PV Feasibility & Performance Analysis – Ghadames, Libya
Location: Ghadames, Libya
Sector: Renewable Energy
Primary Focus: Solar Irrigation | Water Supply | Desert Engineering
Project Type: Solar-powered irrigation pumping system, ~1.1 MWp concept capacity
Project Background

GSC developed an engineering concept for solar-powered irrigation supporting olive and palm cultivation as part of the Ghadames Olive & Palm Project in Libya. The system is designed to replace diesel-based pumping with an approximately 1.1 MWp solar PV irrigation pumping system, improving the sustainability of remote agricultural water supply.

Project Objectives
  • Assess solar resource and expected energy yield.
  • Review electrical design, inverter sizing and grid integration.
  • Optimise layout to minimise shading and electrical losses.
  • Evaluate financial feasibility over a long-term assessment period.
  • Provide recommendations for reliable solar deployment in Libya.
Engineering / Delivery Challenges
  • High fuel dependency for remote irrigation pumping
  • Harsh desert operating conditions
  • Need for reliable water supply and efficient pump control
  • Requirement for scalable, maintainable renewable-energy architecture
GSC Engineering Approach & Methodology

GSC developed solar PV engineering and irrigation power-system design integrated with water-pumping engineering and a variable-speed pump-control concept. The approach incorporated electrical protection and monitoring, with design considerations addressing harsh desert conditions and provision for future system expansion.

Detailed Scope of Services
  • Solar PV engineering and irrigation power-system design
  • Water-pumping engineering
  • Variable-speed pump-control concept
  • Electrical protection and monitoring
  • Design considerations for harsh desert conditions and future expansion
Engineering Highlights & Value Delivered
  • PV generator output: 108 kWp.
  • 432 PV modules and 6 KACO Powador 20.0 TL3 inverters in the source simulation.
  • Generator surface: approximately 721.4 m².
  • Annual grid feed-in: approximately 205,270 kWh/year.
  • Specific annual yield: approximately 1,900.65 kWh/kWp.
  • Performance Ratio: 80.1%.
  • Yield reduction due to shading: approximately 0.8%/year.
  • Avoided CO₂ emissions: approximately 123,116 kg/year.
  • Assessment period: 20 years.
  • Modelled return on assets: approximately 15.19%; amortisation period: approximately 6.6 years.
Technologies, Methods & Standards
  • PV*SOL Premium
  • KACO Powador 20.0 TL3
  • Grid-connected PV
  • Energy-yield modelling
  • Performance Ratio analysis
  • Financial analysis
Sustainability / Business Impact

The case demonstrates GSC's approach of connecting engineering decisions with reliability, lifecycle value, operational performance and sustainability. Where quantified results are shown above, they are retained from the underlying project material and should not be altered by the website developer.

Lessons & Transferable Value

High solar irradiation alone does not guarantee a strong PV project. Temperature losses, inverter configuration, shading, grid interface and financial assumptions must be modelled together to convert resource potential into a credible investment case.

GSCTS
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