Assessment of a photovoltaic pumping system in the areas of the Algerian Sahara

We present a methodology to analyze the performance of a photovoltaic system of pumping installed in an isolated site at Ghardaïa (southern of Algeria). A computer program which simulates the electric operation of the system (irradiation and production of water) on the hourly basis was developed while being based on the data of irradiation of the site of year 2005, measured with a step of 5 min. This work allows to evaluate the economic interest of the system which will have to satisfy an average daily volume of 60 m3 throughout the year compared to another very widespread energy system in the area, the diesel genset (DG), by using the method of the life cycle cost (LCC). Considering the economic realities of the Algerian market where the price of the fuel is very low, it makes it difficult to other energy processes to emerge.