Abstract:
This research describes assessment of a stand-alone solar electrical power system which can supply power with Energy Efficient lighting system for road lighting. The existing street lightning network system has experienced a lot of power outages over the years and consumes more energy and bill cost, mainly due to the heavy reliance on hydroelectric power plants, non-energy efficient street lightning configuration and poor maintenance culture, rising energy demand for development and supply problems. These situations have hindered the smooth running of businesses and road safety in the area. Primary data collected from the site & NEMA and analyzed that one thousand three hundred forty nine (1,349) different kind of ordinary lamps found and a total 3,633,720 kWh/day energy utilized per year. In this assessment comparison of different types of lamps has been conducted and found that LED is more energy-efficient lightning technology. Secondary Data collected from NEMA shown that average global solar radiation 0.546w/m2/d, sunshine hour 7.1hrs & temperature 17.5oC have taken from Bole Metrological Agency, Addis Ababa and analyzed that the selected site is potentially feasible for implementing the proposed solar energy system. Micro power system optimization software (Homer) was used to analyze the solar powered street lighting system which consists of independent installations where the energy is produced on the spot. The system was then optimized and determined the best configuration result using the Homer software for a primary load of 0.546 WH/d, global solar 5.99 WH/m2/d .The Net present cost (NPC) is ETB 50, 994, Cost of energy (COE), ETB 20,034.56 /kWh and Operating cost is 3,384.96 /yr. for PV life 15 years, battery life 4 years and Inverter Efficiency 90%. Therefore, in view of the above facts electrifying the selected site using solar PV street light systems is beneficial and suitable for long-term investments in addition the initial investment cost of the system is decreasing and efficiencies are increasing.