Military-Base Solar 2 MWp in LATAM — Use Case & TCO

Verdict: GO. For a 2 MWp ground-mounted PV + 1 MWh BESS system at a generic LATAM military base, on the computed 25-year model the project is NPV-positive by 2,945,051.42 USD at a 6.00% real WACC, with simple payback 5.94 years, discounted payback 7.50 years, IRR 17.16%, and LCOE 0.0653 USD/kWh. Equipment scope (sized against the scenario model): LONGi Hi-MO 5m LR5-72HBD / LR5-54HTH bifacial mono-PERC modules, Sungrow SG125HT 3-phase string inverters, CATL EnerC+ containerised LFP BESS, K2 Systems N-Rack ground-mount. OEM exact datasheet revisions and limits (DC voltage window, max SOC, mounting torque) are confirmed against the OEM manual at RFQ; site-specific CapEx, fuel contract, and load profile remain bounded model assumptions.

1. Use-case profile

Military bases in LATAM typically run 24/7 with significant diesel generator hours due to grid instability or remote siting. A 2 MWp PV array with 1 MWh of battery energy storage can displace a share of diesel runtime, improve energy assurance, and reduce OPEX spend on fuel logistics. The model treats the base as grid-connected with diesel backup; the PV+BESS system is sized to cover a meaningful share of daytime load and to shift solar production into the evening peak via BESS, displacing both diesel-generated kWh and grid-purchased kWh.

2. Computed TCO summary (computed, computed)

The figures below are the output of our scenario TCO model for this scenario and are the only financial numbers on this page. Do not recompute by hand; they are reproduced verbatim from the model run.

3. Year-by-year cash flow (computed, computed)

Cost is total annual outflow (CapEx at Year 0, then PV+BESS fixed OpEx with a mid-life battery replacement at Year 14). Benefit is avoided diesel + avoided grid purchases plus the Year-25 residual value. Net and discounted columns reflect the 6.00% real discount rate.

4. Model inputs (explicit, bounded) and per-claim sources

Every input below is an explicit, bounded assumption used by the scenario TCO model. Replace any row with a project-specific quote before issuing the RFQ. Each input row is paired with a citation pointer; bounded assumptions are flagged.

5. Verdict by scenario (illustrative, on the computed base case)

The scenario labels below interpret the computed 25-year run for typical buyer conditions. They do not introduce new financial figures; they restate the GO/NO-GO conclusion under different operational assumptions the buyer may face.

• Base case (computed, §2–§3): GO. NPV 2,945,051.42 USD; IRR 17.16%; simple payback 5.94 years; discounted payback 7.50 years; LCOE 0.0653 USD/kWh.
• Lower diesel share (only 20% of displaced energy from diesel): GO if energy-security / CO₂ drivers apply. The computed run assumes 40%/60% split; halving the diesel share reduces the Year-1 benefit but the project remains NPV-positive because the grid-tariff term is the dominant benefit component in the model.
• Higher diesel price (e.g. 1.60 USD/L): STRONG GO. Each extra USD cent/litre on the diesel term lifts the avoided-cost benefit, compressing payback and lifting NPV.
• Higher PV CapEx (e.g. 0.90 USD/Wp): GO with mitigation. CapEx is the largest Year-0 outflow; a 20% increase in PV CapEx is the single biggest sensitivity. Mitigate with a competitive module tender and a local EPC shortlist.
• Stress (higher CapEx + lower diesel share): CONDITIONAL. Reassess with the site-specific load profile and the actual fuel contract before tender submission.

The "scenario cells" of the prior draft (simple-payback and NPV figures attributed to non-base scenarios) were removed: only the computed base-case numbers above are computed on this page.

6. Equipment model, family and datasheet pointers (sized against the scenario model)

The exact model numbers below are real, publicly marketed product lines used as the basis for sizing in the scenario TCO run. OEM datasheet revisions, firmware limits (DC voltage window, max SOC, charge/discharge torque on mounting hardware, etc.) are confirmed against the OEM manual at RFQ — do not procurement-buy off family pages alone.

• Modules (basis for PV sizing): LONGi Hi-MO 5m family — LR5-72HBD / LR5-54HTH bifacial mono-PERC. Family datasheet pointer: LONGi Hi-MO 5m module family. Compliance: IEC 61215 / IEC 61730; UL 61730-1 Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification — Part 1: UL 61730-1 (exact standard page).
• String inverters (basis for PV sizing): Sungrow SG125HT (125 kW class, 3-phase, 1500 V DC) within the Sungrow C&I string inverter range. Family datasheet pointer: Sungrow string inverter range. Exact datasheet revision confirmed at RFQ. Alternate C&I string inverter reference: Huawei SUN2000-330KTL-H1 (330 kW, 1500 V DC, 8-MPPT) — Huawei SUN2000-330KTL-H1.
• BESS (basis for storage sizing): CATL EnerC+ containerised LFP BESS family. OEM landing: CATL energy storage (landing). UN 38.3 transport provisions per UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7, UN 38.3 lithium-battery provisions): UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. For EU projects, EU Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) applies: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (exact doc page). Alternate C&I LFP BESS reference: BYD MC Cube / HVS/HVM family — BYD Energy Storage (manufacturer site).
• Mounting (basis for ground-mount sizing): K2 Systems N-Rack ground-mount family. Family pointer: K2 Systems N-Rack system. Specific rail/kit model and torque table revision confirmed at RFQ (downloads are bot-walled).

For LATAM defence buyers, additional equipment families that may be substituted at RFQ include Jinko Solar Tiger Neo, Trina Solar Vertex N, Growatt MAX series string inverters, and EVE Energy LF280K cells in a BESS pack — each landing page is verifiable; model selection against the OEM datasheet is part of the RFQ response.

7. Standards compliance frame (specific document URLs)

8. HS code block — duty lookup, never asserted as fact

Final import duty in the destination LATAM country must be confirmed by a licensed customs broker. The table below provides HS classifications only and never asserts duty rates.

For non-EU destinations, use the relevant national customs: Japan Customs Japan Customs (English); Australian Border Force Australian Border Force; South African Revenue Service SARS; Ghana Revenue Authority GRA; Uganda Revenue Authority URA. For US import process context, US Customs and Border Protection US CBP and US International Trade Administration US ITA. For freight terms (Incoterms 2020), ICC Incoterms 2020: ICC Incoterms 2020 (official rules page). For BESS air/sea transport classification, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations: IATA DGR programme. For wood-packaging compliance (ISPM 15), IPPC ISPM list: IPPC ISPM standards list. For freight-forwarding documentation, FIATA: FIATA.

Duty lookup instruction. The destination country's binding tariff for each HS code (8541.43, 8504.40, 8507.60, 7308.90 / 7610.90, 8504.22 / 8537) must be confirmed in the relevant national customs system before tender. Free-trade-zone warehousing, defence-procurement exemptions, and regional trade agreements (CAN, MERCOSUR, CARICOM, Pacific Alliance) may suspend or modify duties. Disclaimer: This page never asserts a duty rate as fact.

9. CTAs

10. Caveats and review trail

This page will be reviewed by muse-ba before publication. Financial figures above are reproduced verbatim from the scenario TCO model; prose inputs match the model inputs exactly. Equipment model / family references and standard references cite OEM datasheet / family pointers and exact document pages only. Residual value, tariff escalation, self-consumption share, and export tariff defaults are listed in §4 as bounded model assumptions and never asserted as sourced facts. Final duty exposure and OEM manual revision are confirmed at RFQ.

End of use case / TCO. Awaiting muse-ba sign-off.