A Comprehensive Study of the Wind and Solar Potential of Gau Island, Fiji

Abstract

In Vadravadra village, Gau Island, electricity is provided by a 15 kW diesel generator which is switched on for four hours every evening, and fuel usage is approximately 3,200 L/year. The problem faced by villagers is the constant rise in the price of diesel, which is added to the transportation costs of travelling from the main islands to this remote island, resulting in villagers currently paying approximately FJ$2.80/litre. This paper attempts to determine energy produced (kWh) from wind and solar for electricity generation at the site, as well as the cost of energy (COE). The first section presents the energy supply and demand for the village. The second section gives the wind and solar resource characteristics for the site. The annual average wind speed for the site is 6.2 m/s and the average insolation is 5.50 kWh/m²/day. The third section presents the wind energy potential and size of a stand-alone solar system. Using a 15 kW wind turbine with 0.25 as the overall power coefficient, the estimated annual wind energy yield is 33,700 kWh. With five days storage, the stand-alone solar system requires 84 batteries and 308–125 W PV modules. The next section presents optimum hybrid configuration for the site using HOMER, and finally some conclusions are drawn.