Sonam Darjay & Ephraim Bonah Agyekum

Published in International Journal of Thermofluids

Feb 2025

Summary

Bhutan faces a growing electricity supply-demand gap, making solar energy a viable solution for energy diversification and security. My recent study assessed the potential of rooftop solar PV systems in Thimphu, designing and simulating a 12 kWp grid-tied system using PVSYST. The results showed strong solar potential, with an annual generation of 19,336 kWh and a performance ratio of 84%. Scenario analysis revealed that installing PV systems on 50–90% of Thimphu’s rooftops could inject 34–61 GWh into the grid, reducing electricity imports by up to $3.23 million annually. This research underscores the role of solar energy in complementing Bhutan’s hydropower and enhancing energy resilience.

Key words: Bhutan;  Renewable energy;  Solar photovoltaic technology;  PVSYST software; Electricity import cost savings; Environmental cost savings