Proceeding Paper

Technical and Economic Evaluation of a 50 MW Solar Power

Plant in Quetta †
Gohram Khan, Muhammad Hassan * , Mustafa Anwar , Adeel Waqas , Sehar Shakir and Jamsheed Sajid *

US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (CAS-EN), National University of Sciences &
Technology (NUST), H-12 Sector, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
* Correspondence: hassan@uspcase.nust.edu.pk (M.H.); jamsheedsajid@yahoo.com (J.S.)
† Presented at the 7th International Electrical Engineering Conference, Karachi, Pakistan, 25–26 March 2022.

Abstract: Pakistan is a developing country that is facing its worst energy crisis in two decades. In
recent years, the gap between demand and supply has multiplied. With increasing demand, this
situation has triggered a complete power shutdown in urban areas for 10–12 h and rural areas for
16–18 h. The prime objective of this study is to evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of a 50 MW
solar farm in Quetta, Pakistan. Solar radiation data are collected from radiation devices, i.e., a tier
two weather station with a rotating shadow band irradiometer. The devices collected data every
10 min. The data were gathered for one year, and a techno-economic evaluation of the information
has been carried out. For the proposed plant’s economic feasibility evaluation, the levelized cost of
electricity (LCOE) model is used and estimates that the energy produced by the proposed power
plant will cost 6 Pkr/kWh. Technical evaluation of the power plant reveals that 91.980 GWh of
electricity can be produced per year at the capital cost of 59.689 million USD, with an O and M cost
of 0.9 million USD/year and a 10.5498 discount rate (%). An economic evaluation of the proposed
PV plant produces electricity at 0.0385 USD/kWh. The results of this study depict that a 50 MW PV
plant will be feasible for Quetta.

Keywords: economic feasibility; photovoltaic; solar radiation

Citation: Khan, G.; Hassan, M.;

Anwar, M.; Waqas, A.; Shakir, S.;
Sajid, J. Technical and Economic 1. Introduction
Evaluation of a 50 MW Solar Power
The growth of modern economies is characterized by the availability of energy, mainly
Plant in Quetta. Eng. Proc. 2022, 20,
electricity. In today’s world, in order to carry out activities, the flow of electricity is
46. https://doi.org/10.3390/
engproc2022020046
mandatory because every device is chargeable and needs electricity [1]. The total maximum
demand from residential and industrial property is almost 25,001 MW, and the transmission
Academic Editor: Saad Ahmed Qazi and distribution capacity is about 22,001 MW. The demand peaks lead to a shortage of
Published: 16 September 2022
approximately 3000 MW. This additional 3000 MW is not necessary, even though the
country’s high demand is far below its installed capacity of 37,402 MW [2].
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral
Baluchistan has been deprived of adequate access to electricity despite being rich in
with regard to jurisdictional claims in
energy sources, like renewable energy, gas, oil, and coal. First, about 91% of villages are
published maps and institutional affil-
non-electrified, and approximately 85.1% of provincial residents live in rural areas [3]. The
iations.
supply of electricity in Balochistan is limited to 400 to 600 MW, but the current electricity
demand is approximately 1650 MW.
Shabbir et al. [4] conducted a study termed “Economic Analysis and Impacted on
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
National Grid by Domestic Photovoltaic System Installations in Pakistan” and concluded
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. that the mainstreaming of solar energy can diversify the energy mix of Pakistan and can
This article is an open access article reduce the energy dependency on a single source, especially on fossil fuels, which can
distributed under the terms and indirectly reduce the carbon footprint. Shah et al. [5] conducted a techno-economic analysis
conditions of the Creative Commons of solar PV electricity supply to rural areas of Baluchistan and calculated the optimal
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// tilt angle and the potential of sunlight when it encounters the surface of solar panels in
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ a horizontal position. It was concluded that, at an optimal angle of 29.2◦ in Quetta, a
4.0/). 10.78% increase in solar radiation is possible. Anwar et al. [6] studied renewable energy

Eng. Proc. 2022, 20, 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2022020046 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/engproc

Eng. Proc. 2022, 20, 46 2 of 6

technologies in Balochistan, including practices, prospects, and challenges, and collected

primary data about electricity prices by surveying and concluded that 7% of people are very
satisfied with the current electricity prices in Pakistan and that 18% are slightly satisfied.
The people who are neither satisfied nor unsatisfied represent 21%, and 19% are somewhat
dissatisfied, while 35% of people in the survey are very dissatisfied. Muhammad et al. [7]
studied different solar potential coordinates of Pakistan. They stated that to meet the energy
demands in Pakistan, we require to generate 2000 MW per year using solar plants while
the estimated solar potential is 100,000 MW. Khalid and Junaidi [8] published a study of the
economic viability of PV electric power for Quetta, Pakistan, and estimated electric power
generation by a simulation-based software (RET screen) and stated that PV power plant
generates the highest electricity and has the potential to generate 23.206 GWh of electricity
in a year at Quetta, Pakistan.

2. Material and Methodology

In this section, light is shed on the materials and methods adopted to estimate energy
generation produced by solar panels.

Collection of Radiation Data

Solar radiation data have been collected from authentic sources of the radiation calcu-
lation devices that have been installed in Baluchistan University of Information Technology
Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta, by the World Bank and USAID.
The data have been taken from the following website: www.energydata.info.com (accessed
on 15 March 2021). The proposed place for installation of solar PV systems is Pakistan,
namely, Quetta/Sheikh Mand. The installed device collected data every 10 min for radia-
tion (W/m2 ) with the addition of ambient air temperature (◦ C), wind velocity (m/s), and
humidity (%). The solar PV system analysis module was a Canadian Solar CS3U-340P
PV module (Poly Crystalline). Table 1 shows the specification that was obtained from the
datasheet of the Canadian Solar module manufacturing company. The specification of
Huawei Sun2000-90KTL is mentioned in Table 2, with a maximum efficiency of 99% and a
power capacity of 90 KW, has been used here. The specification of the inverter is obtained
from the datasheet of Huawei Inverters Company.

Table 1. Module specification [9].

Module Classification Canadian Solar CS3U-340P PV Modules

Classification of Cell Polycrystalline
Volume of Individual Module 2000 mm × 992 mm × 40 mm
Nominal Operating cell Temperature (NOCT) 43 ± 2 ◦ C
Module Area 1.984 m2
No. of Panel/ Modules 147,060
Total Module Area 291,768 m2 (72.1 Acre)
Module Efficiency 17.14%

Table 2. Inverter specification [10].

Type of Inverter Huawei Sun2000-90KTL

Dimensions of each Inverter 1075 × 605 × 310 mm
No. of Inverters used 554
Max. efficiency 99%
Max. Input Voltage 1500 V
Rated AC Active Power 90 KW

3. Results and Discussions

During this study, the radiation data of Quetta city were initially collected to measure
the sunlight intensity that reaches the ground. During this study, radiation data were
Eng. Proc. 2022, 4, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 6

Eng. Proc. 2022, 20, 46 3 of 6

3. Results and Discussions
During this study, the radiation data of Quetta city were initially collected to measure
the sunlight intensity that reaches the ground. During this study, radiation data were col-
collected
lected forfor more
more than
than 1 year.
1 year. During
During May,June,
May, June,and
andJuly,
July,the
theglobal
global horizontal
horizontal irradiance
irradiance
from a thermopile pyranometer (GHI-PYR)
from a thermopile pyranometer (GHI-PYR) was observed with the highest values, i.e.,
was observed with the highest values, i.e.,
322.965, 333.6401, and 320.2997 W/m 2 , respectively for each month. It was also observed
322.965, 333.6401, and 320.2997 W/m2, respectively for each month. It was also observed
that the values of the global horizontal irradiance from the rotating shadowband irradiome-
that the values of the global horizontal irradiance from the rotating shadowband irradi-
ter (GHI-RSI) also had maximum values of 316.5496, 327.4765, and 314.6698 W/m2 during2
ometer (GHI-RSI) also had maximum values of 316.5496, 327.4765, and 314.6698 W/m
May, June, and July, respectively [11].
during May, June, and July, respectively [11].
It can be seen from Figure 1a that when the diffused horizontal irradiance was calcu-
It can be seen from Figure 1a that when the diffused horizontal irradiance was calcu-
lated using the thermopile pyranometer, the maximum value of irradiance was recorded
lated using the thermopile pyranometer, the maximum value of irradiance was recorded
during July, followed by June and August. It can be seen from Figure 1b that when the
during July, followed by June and August. It can be seen from Figure 1b that when the
thermopile pyrheliometer calculated the direct normal irradiance, the maximum value of
thermopile pyrheliometer calculated the direct normal irradiance, the maximum value of
irradiance was recorded during October, followed by September and November. Similarly,
irradiance was recorded during October, followed by September and November. Simi-
the minimum irradiance was documented in March, January, and February.
larly, the minimum irradiance was documented in March, January, and February.

(a) (b)
Figure 1.
Figure 1. (a)
(a) Diffused horizontal irradiance
Diffused horizontal irradiance (W/m
(W/m22););(b)
(b)direct
directnormal
normalirradiance
irradiance(W/m
(W/m).2 ).
2

It can be seen from Figure 2a that when the thermopile pyrheliometer calculated the
direct normal irradiance, the maximum value of of irradiance
irradiance was
was recorded
recorded during
during October,
October,
followed by September and November. Similarly, the minimum irradiance was recorded
during March, January, and February.
February. It can be seen from Figure 2a that when the global
horizontal irradiance was calculated using the thermopile pyranometer, the maximum
value of irradiance was recorded during June, followed by May and July. Similarly, the
minimum irradiance was documented in January, December,December, and February.
February. It can be seen
from Figure
Figure 2b
2b that
thatwhen
whenthethedirect
directglobal
global horizontal
horizontal irradiance
irradiance waswas calculated
calculated using
using ro-
rotating shadow
tating shadow bandirradiance,
band irradiance,the
themaximum
maximumvaluevalueofofirradiance
irradiance was
was recorded
recorded during
June, followed by May and June. June. Similarly, minimum irradiance was recorded during
January,
January, December,
December,andandFebruary.
February.
Eng.
Eng. Proc. 2022, 20, 46 444of
ofof666
Eng.Proc.
Proc.2022,
2022,4,4,xxFOR
FORPEER
PEERREVIEW
REVIEW

(a)
(a) (b)
(b)
Figure 2.2.(a)
Figure2.
Figure (a) Global
(a)Global horizontal
Globalhorizontal irradiance
horizontalirradiance (W/m
(W/m2);2););(b)
irradiance(W/m (b)global
(b) globalhorizontal
global
2
horizontalirradiance
horizontal irradianceby
irradiance byRSI.
by RSI.
RSI.

Comparative
ComparativeAnalysis
Comparative Analysis
Analysis
The
The systemsimulation
The system
system simulation
simulation was
was
was carried
carried
carriedout
outusing
out using
usingthe
theRETScreen
the RETScreen
RETScreen software package
software
software packageandand
package a 50aa
and
MW
50 MWsolar PV
solar system
PV for
system four
for distinct
four locations
distinct in Pakistan,
locations in including
Pakistan, Quetta/Sheikh
including
50 MW solar PV system for four distinct locations in Pakistan, including Quetta/Sheikh Mand,
Quetta/Sheikh
Multan,
Mand, Peshawer,
Mand,Multan,
Multan, and Islamabad.
Peshawer,
Peshawer, and The best-case
andIslamabad.
Islamabad. The scenario,
Thebest-case
best-case according
scenario,
scenario, to the simulations,
according
according totothe
thesimu-
simu-
is Sheikh
lations, Mand
lations,isisSheikh in
SheikhMand Quetta, which
MandininQuetta, has
Quetta,which an
whichhaselectrical
hasan generation
anelectrical capacity
electricalgeneration of
generationcapacity4240.3
capacityof GWh,
of4240.3
4240.3
followed
GWh, by Peshawer, which has a capacity of 4001.3ofGWh, Multan, which has a capacity
GWh,followed
followedby byPeshawer,
Peshawer,which whichhas hasaacapacity
capacity of4001.3
4001.3GWh,
GWh,Multan,
Multan,which
whichhashasaa
of 3756.4
capacity GWh,
of 3756.4and Islamabad,
GWh, and which
Islamabad, has a
which capacity
has a of 2978.3
capacity of GWh.
2978.3 According
GWh. to the
According
capacity of 3756.4 GWh, and Islamabad, which has a capacity of 2978.3 GWh. According
daily
totothe solar radiation (kWh/m2 /d)2/d) for thethefour proposed locations shown in Figure 3,
thedaily
dailysolar
solarradiation
radiation(kWh/m
(kWh/m2/d)for for thefour
fourproposed
proposedlocations
locationsshown
shownininFigure
Figure3,3,
Sheikh
Sheikh Mand
Mand is
is the
the most
most suitable
suitable site
site for
for solar
solar PV-based
PV-based electricity
electricity generation
generation potential,
potential,
Sheikh Mand is the most suitable site for solar PV-based electricity generation potential,
whereas
whereas Islamabad isisthe least advantageous site to be utilized for solarsolar
PV-based electricity
whereasIslamabad
Islamabad isthe theleast
leastadvantageous
advantageoussite sitetotobebeutilized
utilizedfor
for solarPV-based
PV-basedelec-elec-
generation
tricity potential.
tricitygeneration
generationpotential.
potential.

88
-horizontal
radiation-horizontal

77
66
55
(kWh/m²/d)
(kWh/m²/d)
solarradiation

44
33
22
Dailysolar

11
00
Daily

Jan
Jan Feb
Feb Mar
Mar Apr
Apr May
May Jun
Jun Jul
Jul Aug
Aug Sep
Sep Oct
Oct Nov
Nov Dec
Dec
Sheikh
SheikhMand
Mand Peshawar
Peshawar Multan
Multan Islamabad
Islamabad

Figure
Figure3.3.Comparative
Comparativeanalysis
analysisofof50
50MW
MWsolar
solarPV
PVsystems.
systems.
Figure 3. Comparative analysis of 50 MW solar PV systems.
4.4.Technical
4. Technical Analysis
TechnicalAnalysis Results
AnalysisResults Results
The Canadian
TheCanadian
The CanadianSolarSolar CS3U-340P
SolarCS3U-340P
CS3U-340PPV PV module
PVmodule
modulewas was proposed
wasproposed here
proposedhere because
becauseititithas
herebecause has already
hasalready
already
been
been used
beenused in other
usedininother countries
othercountries
countriesand and has
andhas delivered
hasdelivered excellent
deliveredexcellent results.
excellentresults. The
results.The size
Thesize of each
sizeofofeach
eachPV PV solar
PVsolar
solar
module
module will
modulewillwill be
bebe 3.1
3.13.1 m2, 2,2,as calculated from the datasheet. Almost 250 acres of land is re-
m mas calculated
as calculated from the datasheet.
from the datasheet. Almost 250 acres
Almost of landofisland
250 acres required
is re-
quired
for for
forthe
theinstallation
the installation
quired of
ofsolar
of solar modules.
installation solarmodules.
The lifespan
modules. The
Theoflifespan
the PV of
lifespan ofthe
solar PV
PVsolar
theplant is upplant
solar to 25 is
plant isup
uptoto
years, 25
but,
25
years,
dueyears,but,
but,due
to rural duetotoruralruralelectrification,
electrification, it is proposeditthat
electrification, itisisproposed
this plant that
proposed will this
thatbe plant
used
this forwill
plant 20 be
beused
years;
will afterfor
used 20
that,
for 20
ityears;
years;after
will be
afterthat,
sold outititat
that, will
half
will be
be sold
cost
soldtoout atathalf
tribal
out cost
areas.
half cost tototribal
With areas.
areas.With
the installation
tribal Withofthe installation
such
the of
ofsuch
a mega project,
installation such
aamega
theremega project, there will be a significant decrease in the use of fossil fuel for energygen-
project,
will be a there
significant will be a
decreasesignificant
in the usedecrease
of fossil in the
fuel use
for of fossil
energy fuel for
generation energy
by QESCO.gen-
eration
Within by
byQESCO.
erationMay, the energy
QESCO. Within May,
May,the
generation
Within can
the energy
reach generation
energy 47.73 can
canreach
MW, followed
generation reach 47.73
by June,
47.73 MW,which
MW, followed by
will give
followed by
June,
44.62 which
June,MW
whichaswill
willgive
give44.62
mentioned MW
MWas
in Table
44.62 asmentioned
3. mentionedininTable Table3.3.
Eng. Proc. 2022, 20, 46 5 of 6

Table 3. Estimated monthly power output.

Months Power Output (MW)

January 31.13
February 34.78
March 34.86
April 34.27
May 47.74
June 44.62
July 38.35
August 34.11
September 30.61
October 27.59
November 24.09
December 28.20

Similarly, during the winter season and in cold weather, it is difficult for solar radiation
to reach the ground. The lowest energy will be produced during November, i.e., 24.09 MW,
followed by October, during which only 27.58 MW will be produced. The average daily
output of the plant is calculated to be 36 MW, which can be obtained by taking a three-point
estimation of the calculated power in various months.
The cost of electricity for a 50 MW Photovoltaic power plant for Quetta, which re-
ceives the most sunlight in Pakistan, is 0.0385 USD/kWh or 6.09 PKR/KWh. The per-unit
electricity generated using fossil fuel has an average cost of 12.76 PKR/kWh. This is twice
the price of electricity units that solar power plants will develop. On the other hand, the
energy produced by such a solar power plant is environmentally friendly and does not
harm the surrounding areas. The levelized tariff calculated in this study is 3–6 PKR cheaper
than the lowest power purchasing price during 2019–2020 in Quetta.

5. Conclusions
Technical assessment of a PV power plant shows that 91.980 GWh of electricity can be
produced per year. The economic assessment of the proposed PV plant shows that it could
produce electricity at a cost of 0.0385 USD/kWh or 6.09 PKR/kWh for 25 years. The results
of this study show that a 50 MW PV plant will be feasible for Quetta as the levelized cost
of electricity for this evaluation was three rupees less than the minimum quotation of the
Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO).

Author Contributions: G.K. developed the main idea of the current study. M.H. worked on research
conduction and wrote the manuscript. M.A., A.W. and S.S. reviewed and updated the manuscript. J.S.
reviewed, edited, and formatted the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published
version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Acknowledgments: The author significantly acknowledges the support of staff, lab engineers, and
utilization of facilities at US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy, NUST for the completion
of this research.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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