Evaluating the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of irrigation systems based on solar PV and diesel generator for a green bean crop in Cameroon

This article offers a fresh perspective on the existing literature in the areas such agriculture, renewable energy, applied technology, economics, and environment (climate change). The objective of this study is to comparatively evaluate the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of a solar photovoltaic (PV) pumping system and a diesel generator (DG), applied to green bean irrigation in Foumbot (Cameroon), through an ‘energy-agriculture’ nexus approach. Conducted in a context of energy crisis and increasing agricultural challenges, the study is based on real field data, unlike most simulation-based studies, thereby enhancing the reliability and practical relevance of its findings to local conditions. More specifically, the aim is to calculate, in each case (PV and DG), the various actualized costs such as investment costs (Capex), operation and maintenance costs (Opex) applied to annual energy production over a 25-year period. The methodology follows field surveys for data collection, determination of the appropriate raw water requirements for the agro-ecological zone (essential for sizing all the systems), application of a standard LCOE formulation via calculation of the various costs, and economic and environmental analyses. Results shows that using a 13.9 kWp photovoltaic solar panels (i.e. 68 modules of 205 W each arranged in 4 strings of 13 in series and one string of 16 in series) and a 10 hp FP 75 Dtrash diesel generator (7.35 kW) can be economical viable. Capital costs are 25.4 million Fcfa and 15.7 million Fcfa, for PV and DG, respectively. The annual payments for operating and maintenance are 139,334 Fcfa and 563,120 Fcfa, for PV and DG, respectively. LCOE obtained (461.2 Fcfa/kWh for PV and 557.8 Fcfa/kWh for diesel) show that from the fifth year onwards, it is possible to dispense with diesel and avoid emissions of 163,869 tonnes of CO2. This not only promotes the growing competitiveness of the renewable energy (PV) sector, but also increases agricultural production, job creation, the sale of surplus energy in the long term and economic growth.