Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger

Mahamadou Hamidine; Chafiani Halidou Goumey; Arifa Warouma

doi:doi:10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger

Mahamadou Hamidine^*

, Chafiani Halidou Goumey, Arifa Warouma

Published in Engineering and Applied Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 5)

Received: 6 September 2026 Accepted: 16 September 2026 Published: 29 September 2026

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Abstract

Remote off-grid telecommunication sites in Niger depend heavily on diesel generation, leading to high fuel use, operating costs, and direct emissions. This study evaluates site-specific photovoltaic (PV)-battery-diesel retrofit configurations for eleven operational sites using measured baseline data, analytical component sizing, and hourly hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) Pro simulations over one year. Technical performance, generator dispatch, diesel use, lifecycle economics, sensitivity to diesel price and total capital expenditure (CAPEX), and avoided direct CO₂ emissions are assessed jointly. Rather than representing the network with one typical site, the analysis retains the measured differences in electrical demand, solar resource, storage requirement, generator operation, and investment cost across all eleven sites. Across the portfolio, annual diesel consumption decreases from 161,749.75 to 34,757 L, a 78.5% reduction, while cumulative generator runtime falls by 82.4%. Aggregate annual operating expenditure (OPEX) decreases from approximately USD 302,159 to USD 88,259, yielding savings of about USD 213,899/year. Site-level payback periods range from 1.83 to 8.12 years; all configurations have positive net present value (NPV), and their internal rates of return (IRR) range from 10.7% to 54.8%, exceeding the 8% discount rate. Positive aggregate NPV is retained under ±20% variations in diesel price and total CAPEX. Avoided diesel use corresponds to approximately 340.3 tCO₂/year. Overall, the results show that site-specific hybridization can substantially reduce diesel dependence while retaining generator backup and favorable investment performance.

Published in	Engineering and Applied Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
Page(s)	179-193
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Battery Energy Storage, Diesel Fuel Reduction, Homer Pro, Off-Grid Telecommunications, Pv-Battery-Diesel Hybrid Systems, Techno-Economic Optimization

References

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APA Style

Hamidine, M., Goumey, C. H., Warouma, A. (2026). Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger. Engineering and Applied Sciences, 11(5), 179-193. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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ACS Style

Hamidine, M.; Goumey, C. H.; Warouma, A. Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger. Eng. Appl. Sci. 2026, 11(5), 179-193. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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AMA Style

Hamidine M, Goumey CH, Warouma A. Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger. Eng Appl Sci. 2026;11(5):179-193. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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@article{10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13,
  author = {Mahamadou Hamidine and Chafiani Halidou Goumey and Arifa Warouma},
  title = {Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger},
  journal = {Engineering and Applied Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {5},
  pages = {179-193},
  doi = {10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.eas.20261105.13},
  abstract = {Remote off-grid telecommunication sites in Niger depend heavily on diesel generation, leading to high fuel use, operating costs, and direct emissions. This study evaluates site-specific photovoltaic (PV)-battery-diesel retrofit configurations for eleven operational sites using measured baseline data, analytical component sizing, and hourly hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) Pro simulations over one year. Technical performance, generator dispatch, diesel use, lifecycle economics, sensitivity to diesel price and total capital expenditure (CAPEX), and avoided direct CO2 emissions are assessed jointly. Rather than representing the network with one typical site, the analysis retains the measured differences in electrical demand, solar resource, storage requirement, generator operation, and investment cost across all eleven sites. Across the portfolio, annual diesel consumption decreases from 161,749.75 to 34,757 L, a 78.5% reduction, while cumulative generator runtime falls by 82.4%. Aggregate annual operating expenditure (OPEX) decreases from approximately USD 302,159 to USD 88,259, yielding savings of about USD 213,899/year. Site-level payback periods range from 1.83 to 8.12 years; all configurations have positive net present value (NPV), and their internal rates of return (IRR) range from 10.7% to 54.8%, exceeding the 8% discount rate. Positive aggregate NPV is retained under ±20% variations in diesel price and total CAPEX. Avoided diesel use corresponds to approximately 340.3 tCO2/year. Overall, the results show that site-specific hybridization can substantially reduce diesel dependence while retaining generator backup and favorable investment performance.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger
AU  - Mahamadou Hamidine
AU  - Chafiani Halidou Goumey
AU  - Arifa Warouma
Y1  - 2026/09/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
T2  - Engineering and Applied Sciences
JF  - Engineering and Applied Sciences
JO  - Engineering and Applied Sciences
SP  - 179
EP  - 193
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1468
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
AB  - Remote off-grid telecommunication sites in Niger depend heavily on diesel generation, leading to high fuel use, operating costs, and direct emissions. This study evaluates site-specific photovoltaic (PV)-battery-diesel retrofit configurations for eleven operational sites using measured baseline data, analytical component sizing, and hourly hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) Pro simulations over one year. Technical performance, generator dispatch, diesel use, lifecycle economics, sensitivity to diesel price and total capital expenditure (CAPEX), and avoided direct CO2 emissions are assessed jointly. Rather than representing the network with one typical site, the analysis retains the measured differences in electrical demand, solar resource, storage requirement, generator operation, and investment cost across all eleven sites. Across the portfolio, annual diesel consumption decreases from 161,749.75 to 34,757 L, a 78.5% reduction, while cumulative generator runtime falls by 82.4%. Aggregate annual operating expenditure (OPEX) decreases from approximately USD 302,159 to USD 88,259, yielding savings of about USD 213,899/year. Site-level payback periods range from 1.83 to 8.12 years; all configurations have positive net present value (NPV), and their internal rates of return (IRR) range from 10.7% to 54.8%, exceeding the 8% discount rate. Positive aggregate NPV is retained under ±20% variations in diesel price and total CAPEX. Avoided diesel use corresponds to approximately 340.3 tCO2/year. Overall, the results show that site-specific hybridization can substantially reduce diesel dependence while retaining generator backup and favorable investment performance.
VL  - 11
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Mahamadou Hamidine

Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Dan Dicko Dankolodo de Maradi, Maradi, Niger

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-3945-5019
Chafiani Halidou Goumey

Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Dan Dicko Dankolodo de Maradi, Maradi, Niger;Regional Service Delivery, American Tower Corporation (ATC Niger), Zinder, Niger
Arifa Warouma

Faculté d’Agronomie et des Sciences de l’Environnement, Université Dan Dicko Dankolodo de Maradi, Maradi, Niger

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APA Style

Hamidine, M., Goumey, C. H., Warouma, A. (2026). Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger. Engineering and Applied Sciences, 11(5), 179-193. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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ACS Style

Hamidine, M.; Goumey, C. H.; Warouma, A. Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger. Eng. Appl. Sci. 2026, 11(5), 179-193. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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AMA Style

Hamidine M, Goumey CH, Warouma A. Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger. Eng Appl Sci. 2026;11(5):179-193. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13

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@article{10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13,
  author = {Mahamadou Hamidine and Chafiani Halidou Goumey and Arifa Warouma},
  title = {Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger},
  journal = {Engineering and Applied Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {5},
  pages = {179-193},
  doi = {10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.eas.20261105.13},
  abstract = {Remote off-grid telecommunication sites in Niger depend heavily on diesel generation, leading to high fuel use, operating costs, and direct emissions. This study evaluates site-specific photovoltaic (PV)-battery-diesel retrofit configurations for eleven operational sites using measured baseline data, analytical component sizing, and hourly hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) Pro simulations over one year. Technical performance, generator dispatch, diesel use, lifecycle economics, sensitivity to diesel price and total capital expenditure (CAPEX), and avoided direct CO2 emissions are assessed jointly. Rather than representing the network with one typical site, the analysis retains the measured differences in electrical demand, solar resource, storage requirement, generator operation, and investment cost across all eleven sites. Across the portfolio, annual diesel consumption decreases from 161,749.75 to 34,757 L, a 78.5% reduction, while cumulative generator runtime falls by 82.4%. Aggregate annual operating expenditure (OPEX) decreases from approximately USD 302,159 to USD 88,259, yielding savings of about USD 213,899/year. Site-level payback periods range from 1.83 to 8.12 years; all configurations have positive net present value (NPV), and their internal rates of return (IRR) range from 10.7% to 54.8%, exceeding the 8% discount rate. Positive aggregate NPV is retained under ±20% variations in diesel price and total CAPEX. Avoided diesel use corresponds to approximately 340.3 tCO2/year. Overall, the results show that site-specific hybridization can substantially reduce diesel dependence while retaining generator backup and favorable investment performance.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Techno-economic Optimization of PV-battery-diesel Systems for Reducing Diesel Use at Eleven Off-grid Telecom Sites in Niger
AU  - Mahamadou Hamidine
AU  - Chafiani Halidou Goumey
AU  - Arifa Warouma
Y1  - 2026/09/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
T2  - Engineering and Applied Sciences
JF  - Engineering and Applied Sciences
JO  - Engineering and Applied Sciences
SP  - 179
EP  - 193
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1468
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20261105.13
AB  - Remote off-grid telecommunication sites in Niger depend heavily on diesel generation, leading to high fuel use, operating costs, and direct emissions. This study evaluates site-specific photovoltaic (PV)-battery-diesel retrofit configurations for eleven operational sites using measured baseline data, analytical component sizing, and hourly hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) Pro simulations over one year. Technical performance, generator dispatch, diesel use, lifecycle economics, sensitivity to diesel price and total capital expenditure (CAPEX), and avoided direct CO2 emissions are assessed jointly. Rather than representing the network with one typical site, the analysis retains the measured differences in electrical demand, solar resource, storage requirement, generator operation, and investment cost across all eleven sites. Across the portfolio, annual diesel consumption decreases from 161,749.75 to 34,757 L, a 78.5% reduction, while cumulative generator runtime falls by 82.4%. Aggregate annual operating expenditure (OPEX) decreases from approximately USD 302,159 to USD 88,259, yielding savings of about USD 213,899/year. Site-level payback periods range from 1.83 to 8.12 years; all configurations have positive net present value (NPV), and their internal rates of return (IRR) range from 10.7% to 54.8%, exceeding the 8% discount rate. Positive aggregate NPV is retained under ±20% variations in diesel price and total CAPEX. Avoided diesel use corresponds to approximately 340.3 tCO2/year. Overall, the results show that site-specific hybridization can substantially reduce diesel dependence while retaining generator backup and favorable investment performance.
VL  - 11
IS  - 5
ER  -

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