Potential Assessment and Techno-Economic Evaluation of Photovoltaic Energy Conversion: A Case of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit System

Climate change resulting from the burning of fossil fuels has led to severe consequences like global warming, flooding, and melting of ice sheets. One of the significant contributors to this problem is the ever-increasing production and consumption of energy, which is still primarily fossil-based and emits billions of tons of hazardous GHG. The transportation industry is one of the biggest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions, and the rail transportation sector has a significant opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint by adopting renewable energy sources like solar power. This research aims to assess the potential of solar photovoltaic systems in powering railway transportation and to evaluate the economic viability of such a system. The study focuses on the light rail transit system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and aims to determine the energy-generating capacity and economic benefits of installing solar panels on various structures like train rooftops, railway depots, passenger stations, and DC traction substations. Subsequently, the research tried to address the question of how much energy could be generated by a solar photovoltaic system installed on various structures in the railway transportation system and to what extent these energies could support the railway traction supply system. The study also aimed to determine the economic feasibility of adopting solar power in railway transportation. Therefore, the research employs a quantitative research methodology and uses a Google Earth system with Helioscopes software to evaluate the potential of PV systems along rail lines and on rooftops. The study uses a case study approach and analyses the data collected through simulations to determine the energy-generating capacity and potential economic benefits. Consequently, the research finds that the solar PV system can generate 72.6 MWh per day, with an annual power output of 10.6 GWh, which can reduce CO2 emissions by 180,000 tons while generating a total profit of 892 million Ethiopian birrs. The PV-AA-LRTS has a return on investment of 200%, with a payback time of less than 13 years, and the price of solar-generated electricity is less than $0.08/kWh. Finally, the research concludes that solar power has tremendous potential in the railway transportation sector, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and generating economic benefits. In addition, the research findings support the adoption of solar power in railway transportation systems and provide a framework for assessing the potential of renewable energy sources in powering transportation systems.