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ABSTRACT
Rising energy demand has caused energy security concerns in developing nations. This has made the unexploited capacity of renewable resources important to be used. Grid based photovoltaic systems have become the best choice for large scale renewable energy. This paper uses PVsyst simulation software to analyze the simulated performance of 126 kWp photovoltaic systems connected to a grid. This study examined the feasibility of installing a roof mounted photovoltaic system to supply HIKMA-Pharma pharmaceutical factory, 6th October City, Giza, Egypt with required electricity. The study was investigated first using Sketch-Up design tool to cover building roof area with solar energy system; hence it would be possible to estimate PV modules capacity depending on site geography data and PV modules specifications. The simulation is performed using PVsyst V6.6.8 software. Using Sketch-Up and PVsyst, the total suitable rooftop area for solar photovoltaic applications was found to be about 946 m2 and could accommodate approximately 126 kWp of 486 modules (260 W each) with a 25o tilt angle. Four inverters, 30 kW each, are used to interconnect the grid by net metering. In this study, Meteonorm 7.2 weather data from the PVsyst database were used for this position set of solar radiation and air temperature. Simulation results determine energy output from PV array, energy injected into the grid, energy produced per kWp installed and performance ratio. The 126 kWp PV system produces 237 MWh/year which are injected into the grid of 227 MWh/year with 30 year system life time. The annual production ratio is roughly 81.74% and the usable energy specific output is 1797 kWh/kWp/year (4.92 kWh/kWp/day). The total energy from the PV array production is 237.6 MWh with efficiency of 13% at STC. Furthermore, the loss diagram is calculated for the entire year as well. When the probability system production is investigated, the energy output to grid at probabilities 50, 75, 90% are 227 MWh, 224 MWh and 221 MWh, respectively. Also, CO2 saved emissions are estimated along the system lifetime. From the economic point view, the proposed roof-mounted grid-tied PV system has significant potential for this pharmaceutical factory building owner against diesel generator and national grid electricity since it saves 53% of the total system cost and it will return owner money...