Audited 25-year TCO for a 3 MWp ground-mount PV plant serving a US industrial park. Equipment shortlist: Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 N-type TOPCon modules (JKM-N-78HL4RBDV) paired with Sungrow SG125HT string inverters. All financial figures are produced by the TradVolt audited TCO model from the inputs in §1 and are authoritative. Evidence date: 2025-01-15. Limitation: figures are valid for the scenario as specified; site-specific yield, financing, and duty assumptions must be re-validated before any commercial commitment.
Verdict (answer-first). Equipment: Jinko Tiger Neo 3.0 (JKM-N-78HL4RBDV) + Sungrow SG125HT, 3.0 MWp DC, fixed-tilt ground mount, US industrial-park site. Horizon: 25 years. Discount rate: 7.00%. Evidence date: 2025-01-15. Limitation: benefits modelled on a single blended revenue tariff of 0.096 USD/kWh (80% self-consumed at 0.11 USD/kWh avoided-grid + 20% exported at 0.04 USD/kWh); CAPEX 6,600,000 USD Year-0; OPEX 49,500 USD Year-1 escalating 2.0%/yr; no residual value, no salvage. NPV = −1,541,283.54 USD. IRR = 4.42%. Discounted payback = — (not reached). Simple payback = 15.54 years. LCOE = 0.1451 USD/kWh. The project repays capital on an undiscounted basis around year 15.5 but remains underwater on a discounted basis inside the 25-year horizon as specified.
Decision table
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| NPV (USD) | −1,541,283.54 |
| IRR | 0.0442 (4.42%) |
| Simple payback (year) | 15.54 |
| Discounted payback | — |
| LCOE (USD/kWh) | 0.1451 |
| Total undiscounted cost (USD) | 8,185,499.84 |
| PV of costs (USD) | 7,290,742.50 |
| Total undiscounted benefit (USD) | 12,970,896.23 |
| PV of benefits (USD) | 5,749,458.96 |
| Discount rate | 7.00% |
| Horizon | 25 years |
Industrial Park Solar 3 MWp — US TCO Use-Case
1. Inputs and equipment shortlist
| Input | Value | Unit | Source / classification |
|---|
| Installed DC capacity | 3.00 | MWp | Use-case specification (locked) |
| Module model / family | Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 — JKM-N-78HL4RBDV (N-type TOPCon bifacial, 625 Wp) | — | Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 datasheet PDF (JKM-N-78HL4RBDV); OEM family landing (https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/) |
| Inverter model / family | Sungrow SG125HT — 125 kW three-phase string inverter | — | Sungrow SG125HT datasheet PDF (SG-HT series); OEM landing (https://www.sungrowpower.com/en) |
| Mounting | Fixed-tilt ground-mount, galvanised steel racking | — | Use-case specification |
| First-year specific yield | 1,500 | kWh/kWp/yr | Use-case specification (US Southwest industrial site analogue) |
| Annual performance degradation | 0.50 | %/yr | Use-case specification; consistent with NREL Best Practices for PV System Performance (Jordan & Kurtz, NREL/TP-5J00-79628, §3 on c-Si module degradation) |
| Project lifetime (horizon) | 25 | years | Use-case specification (locked) |
| Self-consumed share of generation | 80 | % | Model assumption — day-shift industrial-park load profile |
| Blended revenue tariff | 0.096 | USD/kWh | Model assumption — single blended tariff = 0.80 × 0.11 + 0.20 × 0.04 = 0.096 USD/kWh |
| Avoided grid import tariff | 0.11 | USD/kWh | Model assumption — US average industrial rate proxy (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.b) |
| Exported electricity tariff | 0.04 | USD/kWh | Model assumption — state net-metering/PURPA midpoint (illustrative only) |
| Discount rate (WACC) | 7.00 | %/yr | Use-case specification (locked) |
| Year-0 CAPEX (total) | 6,600,000 | USD | Use-case specification (locked, includes modules, BoS, racking, inverters, soft costs, import/duties, install) |
| Year-1 OPEX | 49,500 | USD/yr | Use-case specification (≈0.75% of CAPEX, escalating 2.0% per year) |
| OPEX escalation | 2.0 | %/yr | Model assumption (held constant) |
| Residual value | amount = 0 USD; year = N/A (end-of-horizon salvage = 0) | — | Model assumption — explicit bounded default; no salvage assumed |
| Currency | USD | — | — |
Assumption log (explicit bounded defaults where the draft did not state inputs).
- Residual value: amount = 0 USD at year 25 (end-of-horizon salvage not credited).
- OPEX escalation: 2.0% per year (held constant).
- Self-consumption: 80% of generation; 20% exported at the export tariff.
- Revenue model: single blended tariff of 0.096 USD/kWh applied to total annual generation. Year-1 generation = 1,500 kWh/kWp × 3,000 kWp = 4,500,000 kWh; each subsequent year = prior year × (1 − 0.005).
2. TCO summary (audited, authoritative)
TCO summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Currency | USD |
| Horizon (years) | 25 |
| Discount rate | 7.00 % |
| Total undiscounted cost (USD) | 8,185,499.84 |
| Total discounted cost / PV of costs (USD) | 7,290,742.50 |
| Total undiscounted benefit (USD) | 12,970,896.23 |
| Total discounted benefit (USD) | 5,749,458.96 |
| NPV (USD) | -1,541,283.54 |
| IRR | 0.0442 |
| Simple payback (year) | 15.54 |
| Discounted payback (year) | — |
| LCOE (USD/kWh) | 0.1451 |
Interpretation: under the audited 25-year cashflow, undiscounted cumulative benefits exceed undiscounted cumulative costs around year 15.5 (simple payback). However, the 7.00% discount rate compresses later-year benefits so that PV of benefits (5,749,458.96 USD) does not catch PV of costs (7,290,742.50 USD) inside the horizon, producing the negative NPV of −1,541,283.54 USD and an IRR (4.42%) below the 7.00% discount hurdle. Discounted payback is therefore not reached within 25 years. LCOE of 0.1451 USD/kWh is the levelized cost of the 4,500,000 kWh Year-1 generation stream degrading at 0.5%/yr over the horizon, computed against the PV of costs.
3. Year-by-year cash flow (audited, authoritative)
Year-by-year cash flow
| Year | Cost (USD) | Benefit (USD) | Net (USD) | Discount factor | Discounted net (USD) | Energy (kWh) |
|---|
| 0 | 6,600,000.00 | 0.0000 | -6,600,000.00 | 1.00 | -6,600,000.00 | 0.0000 |
| 1 | 49,500.00 | 432,000.00 | 382,500.00 | 0.9346 | 357,476.64 | 4,500,000.00 |
| 2 | 50,490.00 | 438,436.80 | 387,946.80 | 0.8734 | 338,847.76 | 4,477,500.00 |
| 3 | 51,499.80 | 444,969.51 | 393,469.71 | 0.8163 | 321,188.49 | 4,455,112.50 |
| 4 | 52,529.80 | 451,599.55 | 399,069.76 | 0.7629 | 304,448.41 | 4,432,836.94 |
| 5 | 53,580.39 | 458,328.39 | 404,748.00 | 0.7130 | 288,579.73 | 4,410,672.75 |
| 6 | 54,652.00 | 465,157.48 | 410,505.48 | 0.6663 | 273,537.13 | 4,388,619.39 |
| 7 | 55,745.04 | 472,088.33 | 416,343.29 | 0.6227 | 259,277.67 | 4,366,676.29 |
| 8 | 56,859.94 | 479,122.44 | 422,262.50 | 0.5820 | 245,760.62 | 4,344,842.91 |
| 9 | 57,997.14 | 486,261.37 | 428,264.23 | 0.5439 | 232,947.36 | 4,323,118.70 |
| 10 | 59,157.08 | 493,506.66 | 434,349.58 | 0.5083 | 220,801.30 | 4,301,503.10 |
| 11 | 60,340.22 | 500,859.91 | 440,519.69 | 0.4751 | 209,287.73 | 4,279,995.59 |
| 12 | 61,547.03 | 508,322.72 | 446,775.70 | 0.4440 | 198,373.75 | 4,258,595.61 |
| 13 | 62,777.97 | 515,896.73 | 453,118.76 | 0.4150 | 188,028.18 | 4,237,302.63 |
| 14 | 64,033.53 | 523,583.59 | 459,550.07 | 0.3878 | 178,221.44 | 4,216,116.12 |
| 15 | 65,314.20 | 531,384.99 | 466,070.79 | 0.3624 | 168,925.50 | 4,195,035.54 |
| 16 | 66,620.48 | 539,302.63 | 472,682.14 | 0.3387 | 160,113.80 | 4,174,060.36 |
| 17 | 67,952.89 | 547,338.23 | 479,385.34 | 0.3166 | 151,761.12 | 4,153,190.06 |
| 18 | 69,311.95 | 555,493.57 | 486,181.62 | 0.2959 | 143,843.60 | 4,132,424.11 |
| 19 | 70,698.19 | 563,770.43 | 493,072.24 | 0.2765 | 136,338.58 | 4,111,761.99 |
| 20 | 72,112.15 | 572,170.61 | 500,058.45 | 0.2584 | 129,224.61 | 4,091,203.18 |
| 21 | 73,554.40 | 580,695.95 | 507,141.55 | 0.2415 | 122,481.32 | 4,070,747.16 |
| 22 | 75,025.48 | 589,348.32 | 514,322.84 | 0.2257 | 116,089.44 | 4,050,393.43 |
| 23 | 76,525.99 | 598,129.61 | 521,603.62 | 0.2109 | 110,030.66 | 4,030,141.46 |
| 24 | 78,056.51 | 607,041.74 | 528,985.23 | 0.1971 | 104,287.65 | 4,009,990.75 |
| 25 | 79,617.64 | 616,086.66 | 536,469.02 | 0.1842 | 98,843.98 | 3,989,940.80 |
4. Equipment documentation and limits
| Item | Model / family | Public source | Operating limits cited |
|---|
| PV module | Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 — JKM-N-78HL4RBDV (N-type TOPCon bifacial, 625 Wp) | Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 datasheet PDF (JKM-N-78HL4RBDV); OEM product family landing (https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/) | Per Jinko Tiger Neo 3.0 datasheet (JKM-N-78HL4RBDV, revision current at 2025-01-15): Max system voltage 1,500 V DC; module efficiency up to 22.8%; operating temperature −40 °C to +85 °C; power tolerance 0/+3%; bifaciality factor ≈ 80 ± 5% |
| String inverter | Sungrow SG125HT — 125 kW, three-phase | Sungrow SG125HT datasheet PDF (SG-HT series); OEM landing (https://www.sungrowpower.com/en) | Per Sungrow SG125HT datasheet (revision current at 2025-01-15): Max DC input voltage 1,500 V; MPPT range 180–1,500 V; max input current per MPPT 30 A; integrated DC switch, AFCI, Type II DC/AC SPD; operating temperature −30 °C to +60 °C (derating above 45 °C); IP66 enclosure |
| Mounting structure | Galvanised steel fixed-tilt ground-mount racking | Use-case specification (racking supplier to be selected during EPC RFP) | Slope, wind and snow load envelope to be re-validated against site geotech and ASCE 7-22 at permit stage |
5. Pre-shipment documents to request with every quote
Mini Certificate Block — documents and their issuers
| Certificate / document | Issuer | Certificate number |
|---|
| IEC 61215-1:2021 / IEC 61215-1-1:2021 — Crystalline-silicon PV module design qualification | TÜV Rheinland / TÜV SÜD / VDE (third-party CBTLs listed by IECEE) | certificate not yet issued / N/A — to be requested per shipment |
| IEC 61730-1/-2:2016 — PV module safety qualification | TÜV Rheinland / TÜV SÜD / VDE | certificate not yet issued / N/A — to be requested per shipment |
| UL 61730-1/-2:2017 (and UL 61730-1/-2:2022 where applicable) — US PV module safety standard | UL LLC (Underwriters Laboratories) | certificate not yet issued / N/A — to be requested per shipment |
| Inverter grid-compliance certificate (IEEE 1547-2018, UL 1741-SB, Rule 21 / Rule 14H where applicable) | Sungrow in-house certification body plus TÜV/UL witness testing as required | certificate not yet issued / N/A — to be requested per shipment |
| Marine cargo insurance — ICC-A (Institute Cargo Clauses A, "all risks") | Marine cargo underwriter (e.g. Lloyd's syndicate, Allianz Marine, AIG) — broker-issued certificate | certificate not yet issued / N/A — to be requested per shipment |
| Bill of Lading draft template | Carrier (e.g. Maersk, MSC, COSCO, ONE) — issued at booking | N/A (issued per shipment) |
| Country of Origin Certificate | China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) — issued and notarised for cross-border shipments | certificate not yet issued / N/A — to be requested per shipment |
| Bank reference letter | Beneficiary's banker (e.g. Bank of China, ICBC, HSBC) — issued within last 6 months | N/A (issued per request) |
Per TradVolt review rule R4, no certificate number is asserted on this page. Request the actual certificate ID, scope, and validity dates from the supplier at RFQ stage and verify against the issuer's public register.
6. HS-code and customs block
HS Code Block — reference only; final duty = PENDING official lookup at time of import
For EU-bound projects the equivalent combined-nomenclature reference is Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (Battery Regulation) as a CELEX-anchored source; verify the current TARIC measure at the European Commission TARIC consultation page for the 10-digit TARIC code applying on the date of import. UN transport classification: IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) programme page, and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Section 38.3, applies to lithium-ion batteries carried alongside the modules, not to the modules themselves. Wood packaging for sea freight must meet IPPC ISPM 15.
Disclaimer: TradVolt does not assert duty rates as fact. Rates change annually and may differ by FTA, anti-dumping / countervailing orders, Section 301 status of origin, or quota. The "PENDING" tag above is intentional; do not quote landed cost off this page.
7. Named sources used in this page
8. Verdict and procurement next steps
For the scenario as specified (3.0 MWp DC, Jinko Tiger Neo 3.0 (JKM-N-78HL4RBDV) + Sungrow SG125HT, US industrial-park site, 25-year horizon, 7.00% discount rate, Year-0 CAPEX 6,600,000 USD, no residual value, 80% self-consumption blended into a 0.096 USD/kWh revenue tariff, OPEX 49,500 USD Year-1 escalating 2.0%/yr), the audited TCO returns NPV = −1,541,283.54 USD, IRR = 4.42%, simple payback 15.54 years, discounted payback = —, LCOE = 0.1451 USD/kWh. The project repays capital on an undiscounted basis around year 15.5 but does not repay capital on a discounted basis inside the horizon because IRR (4.42%) is below the 7.00% discount hurdle. The largest leverage point is CAPEX: a downward revision to the 3,000,000–3,900,000 USD CAPEX band, combined with site-specific yield validation and re-validated tariffs, should be the first actions before any RFQ commitment.
Request Quote (RFQ)
This use-case is for screening purposes only. Figures depend on site-specific solar resource, permitting, interconnection, financing terms, and current tariff schedules. TradVolt does not provide engineering, financial, or customs advice. Confirm all assumptions with qualified EPC, legal, and customs counsel before commercial commitment.