Assessing the Viability of Solar and Wind Energy Technologies in Semi-Arid and Arid Regions: A Case Study of Libya’s Climatic Conditions

Abstract

Libya has a wide range of temperatures and topographies, making it a promising place to use wind and solar energy. This research evaluated many technologies available in the global market, including wind energy, concentrated solar power (CSP), and photovoltaic (PV) solar, with the goal of localizing the renewable energy business. The aim was to optimize the advantages of employing locally accessible renewable resources while guaranteeing their suitability for the diverse climatic circumstances found throughout the nation. Twelve carefully chosen locations in Libya were used to assess the performance of 67 PV solar modules, 47 inverters, five different types of CPS, and 17 wind turbines using the System Advisor Model (SAM) dynamic simulation tool. The simulations employed 15-minute time series of climate data from the SolarGis platform for a 13-year timeframe (January 1, 2007–June 30, 2020). The standard used to determine which technology was best suited for each site was the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). The findings showed that solar and wind energy (PV and CSP) could significantly meet the examined areas’ demand for electrical energy. In contrast to wind energy, which had an LCOE ranging from 1.5 to 5.9 ¢/kWh, PV solar technology had an LCOE between 5.2 and 6.4 ¢/kWh. On the other hand, systems utilizing concentrated solar energy showed comparatively higher levels of life cycle costs; the heliostat field had the lowest, at 8.0 ¢/kWh. The research findings offer significant perspectives to engineers, planners, and decision-makers, enabling well-informed choices on the advancement and funding of renewable energy initiatives in Libya. The analysis concludes that wind energy is the most economically advantageous investment choice in the Libyan energy market, in contrast to the industry’s predominate concentration on PV solar systems. Environmentally speaking, building a 1000 MW renewable power plant with a 40% capacity factor will reduce CO₂ emissions by 3.82 million tons, saving $286.5 million in carbon taxes annually.