A techno-economic feasibility study of pv systems application in the telecommunication industry in Burundi

Abstract

Burundi’s telecommunication industry faces persistent energy challenges due to unreliable grid infrastructure and heavy reliance on diesel generators, particularly in off-grid regions. These constraints have led to elevated operational costs and hindered service reliability. This study evaluated the techno-economic feasibility of deploying photovoltaic (PV) systems to sustainably power telecom infrastructure in Burundi, using selected sites in Burundi. A combination of site surveys, solar resource assessments, and simulation tools (PVGIS and HOMER Pro) was used to model energy output, system performance, and economic viability under PV-only and hybrid (PV+diesel) configurations. Load profile analysis revealed average daily energy demands of 67 kWh, 44 kWh, and 33 kWh for the hub, up, and end sites, respectively. Solar resource assessment showed an average annual global horizontal irradiance (GHI) of 4.9 to 5.4 kWh/m²/day, indicating strong solar energy potential. Optimised hybrid simulations indicated full load coverage with excess electricity < 9%, while PV-only systems produced up to 58% excess energy but with unmet load ranging from 0.05% to 0.37% due to shading and variability. Economic analysis demonstrated superior performance for hybrid systems, with an average Return on Investment (ROI) of 157%, a Net Present Value (NPV) of USD 91,000, and a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of US Dollar cents 36/kWh, significantly lower than US Dollar cents 75/kWh for PV-only setups. Sensitivity analysis indicated that system efficiency was influenced by battery sizing, load variation, and sitespecific shading. The findings allude to the fact that PV-diesel hybrid systems present the most viable solution for reducing fuel consumption, enhancing energy reliability, and lowering operational costs in Burundi’s telecom sector. The study recommends a phased roadmap for PV integration and policy reforms to enable broader adoption. These results underscore PV’s transformative role in supporting resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy systems across critical industrial sectors in Burundi.