Feasibility study of solar and wind plants for sustainable energy supply in Dharan Industrial Estate

The global shift toward renewable energy has made solar power a viable alternative. This study evaluates the feasibility of photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems for sustainable power generation in Dharan Industrial Estate (DIE). A 2533-kW rooftop PV system using polycrystalline silicon modules is proposed and assessed using PVSYST and HELIOSCOPE, while wind feasibility is analyzed via HOMER. Due to low wind speeds (3.1 m/s), only solar energy is found viable. Financial analysis indicates strong feasibility, with a net present value (NPV) of $2 993 338.88, an internal rate of return of 38.13%, a return on investment of 302.1%, a payback period of 5.8 years, and a levelized cost of energy of $0.026/kWh. The proposed PV plant is expected to offset 2407.134 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, contributing to industrial decarbonization. This study highlights solar energy’s potential to meet DIE’s sustainable energy needs.