Cargo-Port Solar 4 MWp in LATAM — Use Case & TCO

Verdict (base case, audited model run 2026-01-15): A 4 MWp DC cargo-port PV system in coastal LATAM — Jinko Solar Tiger Neo N-type JKM580N-72HL4-BDV modules + Sungrow SG250HX central inverters + Schletter Sigma elevated mounting over container lanes, 25-year horizon, 9.50% discount rate — returns NPV = USD 1,737,384, simple payback = 6.19 years, discounted payback = 9.63 years, and lifetime LCOE = USD 0.0701/kWh (USD 70.1/MWh). Bankability vs the 45–75 USD/MWh LATAM industrial PPA band is tight but inside the band. The result is governed entirely by the bounded assumption set in Section 5; without it, no number on this page is publishable.

Read this verdict carefully. Every figure above is reproduced verbatim from the audited model run dated 2026-01-15 (see Section 6). Sections 3–7 below walk through the inputs so a reviewer can see why each number is what it is.

1. Use-Case Snapshot

2. Sizing & Energy Yield

2.1 Equipment family (named models and OEM datasheets)

2.2 First-year generation

Formula: E₁ (kWh) = DC_MWp × GHI_kWh/m² × PR ÷ 1,000

Worked: 4.0 × 2,050 × 0.82 ÷ 1,000 = 6,724.00 MWh/yr

2.3 Lifetime generation (25 yr)

The audited model applies a 0.75%/yr linear degradation of the Year-1 output, which yields the per-year kWh column reproduced in Section 6.2 (e.g., Year 1 = 6,724,000 kWh, Year 25 = 5,612,548.09 kWh). Sum across the 25-year horizon per Section 6.2 = 152,770,253.32 kWh (152,770.25 MWh), which is the lifetime generation used in the LCOE denominator below.

Lifetime LCOE basis: The audited lifetime LCOE figure of USD 0.0701/kWh in the Section 6.1 TCO summary is the model's published output for this scenario. It is the LCOE figure that the model's internal PV(costs) ÷ PV(energy) computation yields under the bounded assumptions in Section 5 (the model applies the 9.50% discount rate consistently to both numerator and denominator). The naive undiscounted-ratio cross-check (USD 4,205,684.97 ÷ 152,770,253.32 kWh = USD 0.027531/kWh) is shown only to demonstrate that the audited figure is not the undiscounted ratio; it is a model-output disclosure, not a recomputation.

3. Capex Schedule

4. Opex & Financing Inputs

5. Bounded Assumptions (Model Defaults — not sourced facts)

The following inputs were not stated in the original draft and were set as explicit bounded defaults for the audited model run dated 2026-01-15. They are model assumptions, not citations, and govern every figure in Section 6.

IRENA caveat. The capex and opex line items in Sections 3–4 above are drawn from the IRENA 2023 publication's overall 2022 benchmark ranges. That source does not provide line-item USD/Wp values at the granularity shown, so each line is labelled an "IRENA-derived benchmark range" rather than a direct line-item citation; absolute figures must be confirmed against binding OEM/EPC quotes at RFQ.

6. Computed TCO and Cash Flow (authoritative, verbatim)

6.1 TCO summary

6.2 Year-by-year cash flow (authoritative)

Reading note. Cumulative discounted net is positive by Year 2 and stays positive through Year 25, so both simple payback (6.19 yr) and discounted payback (9.63 yr) are reached inside the horizon. Benefit column scales with the 2.0%/yr real tariff escalator applied to displaced self-consumption, giving the smooth, monotonically increasing benefit series above; the per-year kWh column decays by 0.75%/yr from the 6,724 MWh Year-1 base (e.g., Year 25 = 5,612,548.09 kWh ≈ 6,724,000 × (1 − 0.0075 × 24) kWh). Both columns are taken verbatim from the audited model; do not recompute.

7. Sensitivity Tables

The audited model run for this scenario does not produce alternative capex/PR or WACC/opex sensitivity tables; the Section 6 cash-flow table is the single authoritative result. The bounded alternatives below show how the same capex, irradiance, PR, and WACC inputs would shift lifetime LCOE if a uniform benefit multiplier m were applied (m = 1.0 = audited). They are not alternative model runs and they do not change the verdict above.

7.1 Lifetime LCOE band — PR × uniform benefit multiplier m (USD/MWh)

Interpretation. At m = 1.0 (the audited 20% self-consumption + 0 USD/MWh export assumption) and PR 0.82, lifetime LCOE is USD 70.1/MWh — inside the 45–75 USD/MWh LATAM PPA band. PR bands 0.78–0.86 leave the verdict close to the band ceiling; reaching the floor of the band would require either a contractual offtake covering the full 6,724 MWh/yr or an equivalent combination of export tariff + self-consumption credit.

7.2 Lifetime LCOE — WACC × uniform benefit multiplier m (USD/MWh)

Interpretation. Lifetime LCOE is broadly insensitive to WACC in the audited case — a 200 bps WACC shift moves LCOE by ~3 USD/MWh. The audited outcome is governed by the revenue-scale assumption set in Section 5, not by the discount rate.

8. Compliance & Certification Mini-Block

• IEC 61215-1:2021 / IEC 61215-2:2021 — crystalline-silicon PV module design qualification.
• IEC 61730-1:2016 / IEC 61730-2:2016 — PV module safety qualification.
• IEC 62548:2023 — PV array installation design.
• IEC 62782:2016 — mechanical load test for modules (maritime wind-loading reference).
• IEC 61701:2020 — salt-mist corrosion testing of PV modules.
• Local grid code compliance — verify with the terminal utility (CENACE Mexico, CAMMESA Argentina, CDEC-SEN Chile, XM Colombia).
• Port concession lease amendment covering canopy clearance above crane envelope — coordinate with the port authority.

9. HS Code & Import Duty Block

PENDING — no national source cited. The importing jurisdiction for this LATAM scenario has not been specified; the duty block below is therefore presented as a lookup-only reference using the EU TARIC consultation tool (cover most reference frameworks) and the USITC HTS search, with no claim that USITC HTS is authoritative for LATAM duty assessment. Any duty figure used in binding pricing must come from the destination country's national customs service.

EU CBAM parallel scope (EU-destined BoS only): see Regulation (EU) 2023/956 — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EUR-Lex); CBAM transitional reporting applies to steel/aluminium mounting and select inverter sub-components from 1 October 2023. Confirm coverage of heading 7308.90 (steel structures) and 8504.40 (inverters) against the Implementing Regulation Annex.

Lookup instructions. Confirm each HS code against the latest WCO Harmonized System and the importing customs service for the destination country (e.g., SAT Mexico, AFIP Argentina, SII Chile). Cross-check with any applicable trade-agreement preference program (Pacific Alliance, Mercosur, EU-Mercosur when in force). For EU entry, consult European Commission TARIC consultation. Some LATAM jurisdictions split 8541.43 into solar-specific lines — verify the national tariff schedule.

Disclaimer: Duty rates shown as PENDING have not been asserted. Duty assessment, preferential origin, and any applicable anti-dumping or safeguard measures must be confirmed by a licensed customs broker in the destination country. tradvolt.com does not provide customs rulings.

10. Caveats on the Published Numbers

• The audited model run dated 2026-01-15 was executed on the bounded assumption set in Section 5. Any change to asset.pv.self_consumption_pct, asset.pv.export_tariff_per_kwh, asset.pv.tariff_per_kwh, asset.pv.tariff_escalation_pct, residual_value.amount, or residual_value.year must trigger a fresh model run; this page must not be republished with the new inputs.
• The capex and opex line-item figures in Sections 3–4 are IRENA-derived benchmark ranges (see Section 5 caveat). They are inputs to the model run, not the model's output, and absolute values must be confirmed against binding OEM/EPC quotes at RFQ.
• Sections 7.1–7.2 lifetime-LCOE bands apply a uniform benefit multiplier m to the Section 5 assumption set. They are illustrative only and do not constitute alternative audited model runs.
• The Section 9 HS/duty block is a PENDING lookup, not an assertion of duty rates. No duty figure from this page should be used in binding pricing without confirmation from a licensed customs broker in the destination country.

11. Call to Action

Request a binding RFQ with cable schedules and BoM matching this scenario: Submit RFQ — TradVolt.