ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN KUWAIT

In Kuwait, the current method of generating electricity using conventional power plants cannot provide beneficiaries with adequate service unless more plants are constructed. In addition to their high cost, these plants cause environmental damage, creating the need to investigate sources of clean energy. This study assesses the technical and economic feasibility of implementing Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy in residential houses in Kuwait. Data and information were collected and the appropriate PV system was selected according to cost and PV specifications. Next, the equivalent annual costs of the PV system with various discount rates were estimated together with the cost per kWh both for new and existing houses. Third, the annual reduction of CO2 emissions resulting from implementing grid-tied PV systems was calculated. Taking into consideration the financial savings from CO2 reduction, the cost per kWh was estimated and compared with the current cost. The purported discount rate adopted by the Kuwaiti government’s long term plan is 6.7%. However, a range of discount rates from 0% to 20% was applied and results obtained. The results showed that with a 6.7% discount rate the annual savings on energy costs for a new house and a previously constructed hose were KD 745 and KD 653 respectively. The results also revealed the payback periods for the PV system for these houses are 7 and 7.4 years respectively. We concluded that integrated PV (BIPV) solar energy is economical and technically feasible in Kuwait when the discount rate is equal to, or less than, the break-even point of 10.36%.