Abstract

Pakistan's geographical location - characterized by abundant sunlight throughout the year - presents a unique opportunity to harness solar energy, offering a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based power generation at lower costs and improvement in gender-related energy access. This investigation examines the feasibility of installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in a house in Lahore, Pakistan, focusing on reducing utility bills, energy security and affordability. It presents the house annual energy data and detailed Homer Pro, SAM, and REopt analysis. Additionally, it provides an analysis of solar systems with and without battery storage. The obtained results unveil that the installed system can produce 13% extra energy by adding battery backup to the inverter while serving the house load. This research also provides risk mitigation strategies to address risks associated with large-scale solar PV installations in developing nations. The obtained findings underscore the financial attractiveness of investing in `renewable energy solutions with energy storage capabilities.

Key words: Solar energy; Renewable energy; Homer Pro; Hybrid power systems; PV system design; On-grid solar system.