The Feasibility of Electricity Production by Using Rooftop Solar Panels in Rural Areas of Khuzestan Province

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of producing solar electricity with photovoltaic panels on rooftops of rural residential buildings in Khuzestan as an auxiliary system to provide electricity. The assessment of available rooftop area in rural residential buildings showed that 45 percent of all rooftops is available to install photovoltaic systems.Most of the available rooftops of rural residential buildings are located in Ahvaz, Dezful, Shosh and Shadegan with 22.56, 10.08, 8.58 and 7.73%, respectively. According to the map provided in GIS, the average solar radiation of all rural areas of Khuzestan province was calculated 5.219 kWh/m2/day annually. Among all counties, Ramhormoz and Hendijan with 5.37 and 5.36 kWh/m2/day respectively, had the greatest solar radiation. By assuming the availability of 25% of rooftop area and the efficiency of 6.48% for photovoltaic systems, it possible to generate 766.5 GWh/year of electricity that is equal to 7.29% of total household electricity consumption and 28.80% of household electricity consumption per capita in Khuzestan province. Results showed that the maximum solar radiation was concurrent with the maximum power consumption in Khuzestan province. High solar radiation along with its great potential to produce solar energy, can be useful to overcome the overloading of power grids and consequently power outages in the hot summer

Keywords

• gis
• khuzestan
• photovoltaic system
• rooftap of rural residential buildings
• solar energy