Techno economic assessment and comparative study of photovoltaic (PV) and high concentration PV (HCPV) large scale power systems under different scenarios: Sensitivity analysis
Suzan Abdelhady
Abstract
The transition toward sustainable energy systems has heightened the need for efficient and economically viable solar technologies. While conventional Photovoltaic (PV) systems are widely adopted, High-Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) systems—despite their higher efficiencies—remain underutilized due to cost and environmental constraints. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic comparison between large-scale conventional Photovoltaic (PV) and High-Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) power systems under varying irradiance conditions. Utilizing the System Advisor Model (SAM), two 100 MWDC systems were simulated across diverse geographic sites in Egypt and internationally. Key performance indicators—including energy yield, capacity factor, land use, and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)—were analyzed to evaluate system viability. The results show that while dual-axis PV systems yield the highest energy output (235 GWh) and lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE at 3.64 ¢/kWh), they also require the largest land area (2.6 million m²). In contrast, fixed-tilt PV systems are more land-efficient (1.5 million m²) but deliver lower output. HCPV systems, offering higher cell efficiency (37%) and moderate land use (2.0 million m²), strike a balance between spatial footprint and performance—though with a higher LCOE (8.44 ¢/kWh) due to their reliance on Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and complex infrastructure. Sensitivity analyses further confirm that capital cost and irradiance variability critically impact the economic feasibility of HCPV. The findings underscore the practicality of conventional PV for widespread deployment and highlight the site-specific potential of HCPV in high-DNI regions. This work provides a robust benchmark for policymakers and investors considering solar infrastructure in arid, semi-arid, and maritime climates.