Assessment of Solar PV Potential and Performance of a Household System in Durban North, Durban, South Africa

Abstract A rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system is an alternative electricity source that is increasingly being used for households. The potential of solar PV is location dependent that needs to be assessed before installation. This study focuses on the assessment of a solar PV potential of a site on coordinates − 29.853762°, 031.00634°, at Glenmore Crescent, Durban North, South Africa. In addition, it evaluates the performance of a 6 kW installed capacity grid-connected rooftop solar PV system to supply electricity to a household. The results, obtained from PV design and simulation tools – PV*SOL, Solargis prospect and pvPlanner, were used to analyse and establish the site and PV system technical viability. The system’s configuration is as follows: load profile - a 2-Person household with 2-children, energy consumption − 3500 kWh, system size − 6 kWp, installation type - roof mount, PV module type - c-Si - monocrystalline silicon, efficiency − 18.9%, orientation of PV modules -Azimuth 0° and Tilt 30°, inverter 95.9% (Euro efficiency), and no transformer. The results show: meteorological parameters - global horizontal irradiation (GHI) 1659.3 kWh/m2, direct normal irradiation (DNI) 1610.6 kWh/m2, air temperature 20.6°C; performance parameters - annual PV energy 8639 kWh, Specific annual yield 1403 kWh/kWp, performance ratio (PR) 74.9%, avoided CO₂ emissions 5662 kg/year, and solar fraction 42.5 %. The analysis and benchmarking of the results show that the proposed solar PV system under the current conditions is technically viable for household electrification in Durban North, South Africa.