How expensive is grid-connected solar photovoltaic in Marrakesh: An economic analysis

The cost of Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity is rapidly falling. This falling cost suggests a bright future for electricity generation using solar photovoltaic. In the past the Governments of some countries such as Germany, Japan, USA, Australia, and etc. had introduced solar PV incentive programs to encourage their people to use solar PV for electricity production. Many people in these countries, who were interested in generating part of their electricity emission-free, have chosen to use grid-connected solar PV on the roof of their properties. These countries have terminated their incentive programs mainly because the solar PV electricity can now compete with the cost of electricity from conventional technologies. The objective of this paper is to present the results of a study conducted on the economic aspects of solar PV to estimate the electricity price of grid-connected rooftop PV system under climate conditions and geographical location of Marrakesh (at the latitude of 31.63° N, and longitude of 8.01° W), to see if the use of PV electricity is attractive and affordable by residential customers. The results of this study will help the Government of Morocco to determine an appropriate feed-in tariff for solar PV electricity in Marrakesh.