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Technologies
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Methodological Framework for the Integrated Technical, Economic, and Environmental Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Agroindustrial Environments

Authors: Reinier Jiménez Borges; Yoisdel Castillo Alvarez; Luis Angel Iturralde Carrera; Mariano Garduño Aparicio; Berlan Rodríguez Pérez; Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz;

Methodological Framework for the Integrated Technical, Economic, and Environmental Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Agroindustrial Environments

Abstract

The transition to sustainable energy systems in the agroindustrial sector requires rigorous methodologies that enable a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the technical and economic viability and environmental impact of photovoltaic integration. This study develops and validates a hybrid multi-criteria methodology structured in three phases: (i) analytical modeling of the load profile and preliminary sizing, (ii) advanced energy simulation using PVsyst for operational optimization and validation against empirical data, and (iii) environmental assessment using life cycle analysis (LCA) under ISO 14040/44 standards. The methodology is applied to a Cuban agroindustrial plant with an annual electricity demand of 290,870 kWh, resulting in the design of a 200 kWp photovoltaic system capable of supplying 291,513 kWh/year, thereby achieving total coverage of the electricity demand. The economic analysis yields an LCOE of 0.064 USD/kWh and an NPV of USD 139,408, while the environmental component allows for a mitigation of 113 t CO2-eq/year. The robustness of the model is validated by comparison with historical records, yielding an MBE of −0.65%, an RMSE of 2.87%, an MAPE of 2.62%, and an R2 of 0.98. This comprehensive approach demonstrates its superiority over previous methodologies by effectively integrating the three pillars of sustainability in an agroindustrial context, thus offering a scientifically sound, replicable, and adaptable tool for decision-making in advanced energy projects. The results position this methodology as a benchmark for future research and applications in emerging production scales.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
gold