Viability of solar photovoltaics as an electricity generation source for Jordan

Figures & data

Table 1. Daily mean values of sunshine duration, and annual values of global solar radiation on horizontal surface, measured at various sites in Jordan for the period 1994–2003.

Station no.	Station	Altitude (m)	Latitude (degrees)	Longitude (degrees)	SSD (h)	GSR (MWh/m^2/year)
1	Karak	920	31.16	35.45	9.58	2.46
2	Tafila	1200	30.47	35.43	9.58	2.46
3	Udruh	1319	30.25	35.39	9.58	2.46
4	Jafr	865	30.17	36.08	9.68	2.19
5	Queira	794	29.47	35.18	9.68	2.19
6	Ma'an	1069	30.10	35.47	9.61	2.17
7	H‐4	683	32.30	38.12	9.19	2.07
8	H‐5	672	32.12	37.08	9.11	2.05
9	Dhuleil	580	32.09	36.17	8.91	2.05
10	Aqaba	51	29.33	35.00	9.49	2.01
11	Irbid	616	32.33	35.51	9.26	2.01
12	Azraq	533	31.51	36.49	8.89	2.01
13	Jiza	715	31.43	35.59	9.02	2.01
14	Hasa	865	30.49	35.58	9.05	2.01
15	Ras Muneef	1150	32.22	35.5	9.26	2.00
16	Mafraq	686	32.22	36.15	8.70	1.96
17	Um‐Jimal	675	32.19	36.22	8.70	1.96
18	Amman	766	31.59	35.59	8.93	1.95
19	Ghor Safi	−350	31.02	35.28	8.92	1.88
20	Baq'aa	700	32.05	35.51	8.51	1.86
21	Jubeiha	980	32.01	35.53	8.50	1.86
22	Deir Alla	−224	32.13	35.37	8.89	1.59
23	Baqura	−170	32.38	35.37	8.60	1.54
24	Wadi Yabis	−200	32.24	35.35	8.47	1.51

Figure 1 Mean monthly variation of the recorded global solar radiation for Jordan, 1994–2003.

Figure 2 Mean monthly variation of the recorded sunshine duration at each station, 1994–2003.

Figure 3 Mean monthly variation of the recorded sunshine duration for Jordan, 1994–2003.

Table 2. Mean monthly variation of the recorded global solar radiation at each station, 1994–2003.

Month	Station number
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
Jan	4.67	4.67	4.67	4.46	4.46	4.61	3.9	3.97	3	4.05	3.09	3.8	3.06	3.1	3.1	3.5	3.5	2.8	3.54	2.7	2.72	2.7	2.4	2.46
Feb	5.55	5.55	5.55	4.72	4.72	4.94	4.3	4.34	3.9	4.21	3.73	3.9	3.98	4	3.7	4	4	3.3	3.55	3.2	3.18	2.7	2.6	2.68
Mar	6.51	6.51	6.51	6.69	6.69	6.07	5.8	5.73	5.2	5.1	4.93	5.8	5.25	5.3	4.9	5.3	5.3	4.5	4.8	4.2	4.23	3.9	3.8	3.86
Apr	7.49	7.49	7.49	7.23	7.23	6.83	6.4	6.55	6.1	6.01	5.73	6.3	5.92	5.9	5.7	5.9	5.9	5.3	5.85	5.3	5.27	5.1	5.1	4.92
May	8.73	8.73	8.73	7.21	7.21	6.71	6.7	6.63	7.4	6.9	7.73	6.7	7.41	7.4	7.4	6.6	6.6	7.2	6.97	7.1	7.11	5.7	5.7	5.53
Jun	8.55	8.55	8.55	7	7	7.79	7.8	7.7	7.9	7.54	7.78	7.5	7.99	8	7.8	7.5	7.5	7.9	7.27	7.8	7.83	6.4	6.2	6
Jul	8.73	8.73	8.73	7.47	7.47	7.51	7.6	7.39	7.8	7.32	7.86	7.4	7.93	7.9	7.9	7.3	7.3	7.9	7	7.8	7.77	6	5.9	5.64
Aug	7.99	7.99	7.99	6.74	6.74	6.91	7	6.67	7.2	6.69	7.31	6.7	7.44	7.4	7.3	6.7	6.7	7.4	6.36	7.2	7.19	5.5	5.3	5.09
Sep	7.19	7.19	7.19	6.08	6.08	6.12	6.1	5.91	6.2	5.78	6.35	5.8	6.21	6.2	6.4	5.8	5.8	6.3	5.45	6	6.03	5	4.8	4.76
Oct	6.1	6.1	6.1	5.44	5.44	5.23	5.1	4.99	4.7	5.03	5.08	4.9	4.73	4.7	5.1	4.9	4.9	5	4.39	4.6	4.55	3.9	3.7	3.65
Nov	4.98	4.98	4.98	4.75	4.75	4.53	4.2	4.17	5.4	3.9	3.73	4.1	3.43	3.4	3.7	4	4	4	3.58	3.2	3.19	2.9	2.8	2.91
Dec	4.38	4.38	4.38	4.02	4.02	3.97	3.2	3.31	2.5	3.34	2.69	3.2	2.68	2.7	2.7	3	3	2.3	3.02	2.1	2.11	2.2	2.1	2.12

Table 3. PV module specifications.

Item	Specification
Manufacturer	BP solar
PV module type	mono‐Si
Module number	BP 590 F
Nominal efficiency	14.3%
PV module rating	90 W
Voltage (at peak power)	18.5 V
Current (at peak power)	4.86 A
Open circuit voltage	22.3 V
Short circuit current	5.2 A
Frame area	0.63 m^2
Mounting dimensions thickness	43.5 mm
Width	530 mm
Length	1188 mm
Weight	8 kg

Figure 4 Annual electricity generated by the proposed 5 MW grid‐connected solar PV power plant for all the selected sites.

Figure 5 Specific yield of the proposed 5 MW grid‐connected solar PV power plant for all the selected sites.

Table 4. Interest rates used in the economical feasibility analysis.

Item	Value
Energy cost escalation rate	4%
Inflation rate	2.5%
Discount rate	5%
Avoided cost of energy	0.3 JD/kWh
Project life	25 years

Table 5. Initial and periodic costs of the solar PV power plant.

Item	Cost (JD)	% of total cost
Feasibility study	56,800	0.2%
Development	49,700	0.2%
Engineering	44,375	0.2%
Energy equipment	20,000,160	70.6%
Balance of plant cost	7,585,096	26.8%
Miscellaneous	580,223	2.0%
Total initial cost	28,316,354	100.0%
Inverter replacement cost	700,000	Every 5 years
Operation and maintenance	238,560	Annually

Figure 6 Economic indicators for all sites.

Figure 7 Cost of electrical energy produced by the proposed 5 MW grid‐connected solar PV power plant at all locations.

Figure 8 GHG emissions mitigation as a result of utilising the proposed 5 MW grid‐connected solar PV power plant for electricity generation at all locations.