Implementation of a carbon-neutral PV+BESS system - A case study of KNAUF gypsum Tanzania

Authors

  • Santos Kihwele Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

This study presents a decarbonization pathway for Tanzania’s industrial sector by integrating a 2.966 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system with a 2 MW/8 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at KNAUF Gypsum Tanzania. A comprehensive techno- economic analysis was conducted using PVSyst simulations software. The simulation integrated site-specific meteorological data, component specifications and the factory’s electricity load profile to model annual generation patterns, system losses and battery charging and discharging cycles. The model accounted for system degradation to ensure realistic long-term performance projections. The PV+BESS solution reduces the energy-related carbon footprint to 64% and cuts annual energy costs by 65%, achieving a 6-year payback period. Despite physical constraints, the system meets 52% of the factory’s total electricity demand, demonstrating the viability of PV+BESS to enhance energy reliability, slash emissions, and lower costs in diesel-dependent industrial settings.

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Published

2026-04-23

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Physical Sciences

License

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Authors who publish in The Eastern Africa Law Review retain the copyright to their work and grant the University of Dar es Salaam a non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, and distribute the article.

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, adaptation, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.