1: Diesel generators are quite common in African regions because of their durability and low upfront cost:
Question:
1: Diesel generators are quite common in African regions because of their durability and low upfront cost: just $250/kW for a device that can run almost all the time! Compute the LCOE of a 2 kW diesel system that is 15% efficient. Assume they use a 2 kW system to meet peak demand, can buy diesel fuel at $1.2/Liter, and use a CCF of 0.1. Describe your approach to the problem, and give your answer in dollars per kWh. Compare the LCOE of the diesel system to that of the solar+battery system described earlier in this section.
Part 2: For a self-financing village, upfront costs are very important, especially since the per-capita income in Mali is about USD $700 per year. Compare the capital cost of the diesel system to the capital cost of the solar+battery system described earlier in this section. Then, state in about 100 words which system you would expect to be more common in this region and why. Consider how a local villager would see both the ecological and economic costs.