Optimizing Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Communities: A Case Study of Ketane Village, Lesotho

Abstract

The global energy landscape is shifting towards renewable sources due to the escalating costs and environmental impacts of fossil fuels, coupled with energy access challenges. This project presents the techno-economic design and optimization of a standalone Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system for Ketane village, a remote community in the Mohale’s Hoek district of Lesotho, which lacks access to the national grid. The study addresses the limitations of a prior United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) feasibility study
by proposing a cost-optimized and reliable solution. Utilizing HOMER Pro software, the project involves a detailed site assessment, load profile analysis, and system component sizing for an 84.15 kW PV array coupled with a 28.8 kWh battery storage system. The methodology adheres to a rigorous engineering design process, including comprehensive financial analysis to determine the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Net Present Cost (NPC), payback period, and return on investment. A sensitivity analysis evaluates
the system’s robustness against key variables like solar irradiance and component costs. The results demonstrate that the optimized system can meet the community’s energy demand with a high renewable fraction, proving its technical feasibility and economic viability. The report concludes with recommendations for implementation and future work, con- tributing a replicable model for rural electrification in similar Southern African contexts with specific relevance to Lesotho’s energy landscape