Solar photovoltaic (solar PV) systems are gaining popularity globally and likewise for Fiji. Globally, the price of solar PV has dramatically decreased over the last decade, resulting in an increase in new solar PV installation for electricity generation. Fiji’s solar PV generation on grid was nil before 2010.
The analysis of data for different sources of energy demonstrates that the potential renewable resources available to Fiji are hydropower, solar energy (photovoltaic and thermal), bioenergy, wind energy, ocean energy, tidal energy and geothermal energy.
In total, around 4 MW of solar PV is installed with some grid-connected solar systems planned and many off-grid solar system planned by Fiji Department of Energy with funding from Fijian government and overseas donor agencies.
Solar PV has many advantages such as it has no moving parts and therefore does not require extensive operation and maintenance; solar resource is free and abundant at most locations in Fiji. For Fiji, the current installation cost of rooftop solar PV grid connected system is around 3100–3500 FJD/kW.
Hence, for this work grid storage is not considered. At present, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) is responsible for providing grid electricity generation to four different islands (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau and Taveuni) where each one of them have their own grid network and power generation stations.
EFL has planned for 5 MW solar power plant in Nadi, Fiji. This would require approximately 33,000 m 2 of land area and using Eq. 8.1, its generation potential is estimated to be around 9 GWh/annum. However, for diversifying Fiji’s electricity supply sources, further capacity addition is needed for solar PV supported by wind and biomass.