Economic feasibility of nanofluid cooling in solar power plants: A case study on investment, payback, and LCOE analysis

The global transition to clean energy highlights the importance of not only advancing technology but also ensuring economic viability for large-scale adoption. This study investigates the financial feasibility of integrating nanofluid-based cooling in solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants, focusing on investment returns, payback period, and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Using a 1.2 MW case study in Tamil Nadu, India, we compare systems with and without nanofluid cooling, incorporating capital costs, operation and maintenance, degradation effects, interest rates, and inflation. Results show that nanofluid cooling improves daily generation and long-term revenue, leading to a ∼4% increase in unit revenue despite a slightly extended payback period. The findings highlight the economic trade-offs of advanced cooling technologies, offering investors and policymakers a framework to evaluate sustainable solar investments. By linking technical performance improvements to financial metrics, this study provides insights into the broader market and policy relevance of nanotechnology-enhanced solar energy systems.