Simulation based design and technoeconomic analysis of a stand alone solar PV system with battery storage in government hostel building

Abstract

India’s growing energy demand and the persistent challenge of rural electrification highlight the urgent need for decentralized, sustainable power solutions. Stand-alone solar photovoltaic (SAPV) systems with battery storage offer a viable alternative for ensuring reliable electricity supply in off-grid and partial electrification regions. The novelty of the proposed methodology lies in the integrated, site-specific assessment of a stand-alone PV-battery system for a rural institutional building, combining technical performance, battery behaviour, energy balance, techno-economic feasibility, and environmental benefits, with comparative evaluation against grid electricity and diesel-based generation. This study presents the design and performance analysis of an SAPV system for the boys’ hostel of Government Degree College, Fatehpur, India, using PVsyst simulation. The proposed system consists of eleven crystalline PV modules (550 Wp each), an off-grid inverter, and a lead-acid battery storage system to ensure energy autonomy. Results indicate an annual performance ratio of 73.1% and a solar fraction 91.2%, which shows the system’s ability to effectively meet hostel electricity demand throughout the year despite seasonal variations. The annual electricity generation of 7286.1 kWh was used for the economic assessment with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of USD 0.094/kWh. Using a net present value-based approach, the discounted payback period is estimated as 11.14 years when evaluated against grid electricity tariffs, while a significantly shorter payback period of 2.16 years is achieved under diesel displacement conditions. Environmental analysis indicates substantial CO2 emission mitigation over the system lifetime, along with additional economic benefits through carbon credit generation. Overall, the study demonstrates that well-designed SAPV systems with battery storage are technically feasible, economically viable, and environmentally beneficial solutions for promoting sustainable energy access in rural institutional applications.