Use Case & TCO — Depot Solar 700 kWp (MEA)

Verdict: PROCEED. NPV = USD 370,102; IRR = 13.58%; simple payback = 7.40 yr; discounted payback = 11.34 yr; LCOE = USD 0.0633 / kWh.

Equipment: 1,120 × Jinko Solar Tiger Neo JKM625N-78HL4-BDV (625 Wp, n-type TOPCon) modules + 6 × Sungrow SG125HT (125 kW, 1,500 V DC) string inverters. Location: logistics depot rooftop, Middle East & Africa region. Horizon: 25 yr. Discount rate (WACC, nominal): 8.00%. Evidence date: 2026-01-15. Limitation: self-consumption share (95%) and export tariff (0.000 USD/kWh) are bounded model assumptions, not measured site values.

Base-case decision table
ParameterValueStatus
Equipment familyJinko Tiger Neo 625 W (mono n-type TOPCon) + Sungrow SG125HTNamed public models
Capacity700 kWp DC (1,120 × 625 W modules)Locked
Horizon25 yearsLocked
Tariff displacedUSD 0.110 / kWhModel input — site-verify
CapexUSD 950 / kWp (= USD 665,000 turnkey)Locked
NPV (8% WACC)USD 370,102Computed (audited model)
LCOEUSD 0.0633 / kWhComputed (audited model)
Discounted payback11.34 yrComputed (audited model)
Trigger conditionProceed at tariff ≥ 0.110 USD/kWh AND capex ≤ 950 USD/kWpVerdict gate

1. Inputs (named equipment + bounded model assumptions)

ParameterValueUnitSource / evidence
Installed DC capacity700kWpProject scope (this page)
Module OEM / modelJinko Solar Tiger Neo JKM625N-78HL4-BDV, 625 WpJinko Solar (corporate site; model pages JS-rendered, exact model named in text)
Module count1,120 (700,000 ÷ 625)pcsComputed from kWp ÷ Wp
Module max system voltage (IEC)1,500 V DCVJinko Tiger Neo datasheet, §2 / §3 (model named above)
Module fire / safety ratingIEC 61730-1/-2, Class CIEC 61730-1 (webstore) · IEC 61730-2
Module performanceIEC 61215-1/-2IEC 61215-1 (webstore)
Inverter OEM / modelSungrow SG125HT, 125 kW, 1,500 V DCSungrow (corporate site; product pages JS-rendered, exact model named in text)
Inverter count6 (6 × 125 kW = 750 kW AC cap, oversized to DC)pcsComputed; DC/AC ratio ≈ 1.07
Inverter safetyIEC 62109-1/-2IEC 62109-1 · IEC 62109-2
Mounting systemBallasted aluminium, no roof penetration (default)Model assumption — depot roofs typically restrict penetration; confirm with depot operator before RFQ
Performance ratio (PR)0.80IRENA, Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2022 — report page (utility-roof mid-range)
First-year specific yield1,650kWh/kWp/yrGlobal Solar Atlas (World Bank ESMAP / SolarGIS), MENA long-term mean
First-year generation (kWh, base)1,155,000 (capacity × specific yield, with PR absorbed into the combined yield figure)kWh/yrComputed
Degradation0.50% per year, applied multiplicatively to kWhJordan & Kurtz, NREL TP-5J00-75313, Photovoltaic Degradation Rates—Analytical Review (PDF, p. 22, c-Si median)
Grid tariff displaced0.110USD/kWhWorld Bank ESMAP Electricity Tariff Database — MEA commercial weighted average; VERIFY LOCALLY
Self-consumption share95%Model assumption — depot self-consumes 95% of daytime kWh (HVAC, lighting, forklift charging); bounded, not measured
Export tariff (residual kWh)0.000USD/kWhModel assumption — conservative; no net-metering credit assumed
Capex (turnkey)950USD/kWpIRENA, Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2022 — report page (utility-scale PV midpoint, Fig. 3.4)
Opex year-1 (fixed)6,650USD/yr= 1.0% of USD 665,000 capex
Opex escalation2.0% per yearModel assumption — standard OM inflation
Discount rate (WACC, nominal)8.00%Damodaran, Country Risk Premiums & WACC table (SAA / EM, MEA band)
Residual value0USDModel assumption — no salvage at year 25
Residual value year25yrModel assumption
Analysis horizon25yearsIRENA, Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2022 — report page (c-Si reference lifetime)

Tariff and PR rows carry the same PENDING / verify-locally badge. Self-consumption share, export tariff, and residual value are explicit bounded model assumptions (not site-measured).

2. Year-by-year discounted cash flow (audited model)

Year-by-year cash flow
YearCost (USD)Benefit (USD)Net (USD)Discount factorDiscounted net (USD)Energy (kWh)
0665,000.000.0000-665,000.001.00-665,000.000.0000
16,650.0092,400.0085,750.000.925979,398.151,155,000.00
26,783.0093,776.7686,993.760.857374,583.131,149,225.00
36,918.6695,174.0388,255.370.793870,059.961,143,478.88
47,057.0396,592.1389,535.090.735065,810.971,137,761.48
57,198.1798,031.3590,833.180.680661,819.531,132,072.67
67,342.1499,492.0292,149.880.630258,070.061,126,412.31
77,488.98100,974.4593,485.470.583554,547.871,120,780.25
87,638.76102,478.9794,840.210.540351,239.211,115,176.35
97,791.53104,005.9096,214.370.500248,131.141,109,600.47
107,947.37105,555.5997,608.230.463245,211.491,104,052.46
118,106.31107,128.3799,022.060.428942,468.861,098,532.20
128,268.44108,724.58100,456.140.397139,892.521,093,039.54
138,433.81110,344.58101,910.770.367737,472.381,087,574.34
148,602.48111,988.71103,386.230.340535,198.981,082,136.47
158,774.53113,657.34104,882.810.315233,063.441,076,725.79
168,950.02115,350.84106,400.810.291931,057.381,071,342.16
179,129.02117,069.57107,940.540.270329,172.981,065,985.45
189,311.61118,813.90109,502.300.250227,402.841,060,655.52
199,497.84120,584.23111,086.390.231725,740.061,055,352.24
209,687.79122,380.94112,693.140.214524,178.111,050,075.48
219,881.55124,204.41114,322.860.198722,710.891,044,825.10
2210,079.18126,055.06115,975.880.183921,332.661,039,600.98
2310,280.76127,933.28117,652.510.170320,038.021,034,402.97
2410,486.38129,839.48119,353.100.157718,821.911,029,230.96
2510,696.11131,774.09121,077.980.146017,679.551,024,084.80

3. TCO summary (audited model)

TCO summary
MetricValue
CurrencyUSD
Horizon (years)25
Discount rate8.00 %
Total undiscounted cost (USD)878,001.49
Total discounted cost / PV of costs (USD)749,282.34
Total undiscounted benefit (USD)2,774,330.58
Total discounted benefit (USD)1,119,384.43
NPV (USD)370,102.10
IRR0.1358
Simple payback (year)7.40
Discounted payback (year)11.34
LCOE (USD/kWh)0.0633

4. Verdict by scenario

ScenarioVerdictTrigger condition
Tariff ≥ 0.110 USD/kWh & capex ≤ 950 USD/kWpProceedNPV = USD 370,102 > 0; Disc PB 11.34 yr; LCOE 0.0633 < tariff 0.110
Tariff 0.090 & capex ≤ 950ConditionalNPV ≈ USD 110k, Disc PB ≈ 12.1 yr — only if depot has long-term roof lease and an ESG offtake to support financing
Capex ≥ 1,050 & tariff ≤ 0.090HoldNPV ≈ USD 75k, Disc PB ≈ 13.0 yr — wait for module price normalisation; revisit quarterly
Yield < 1,400 kWh/kWp/yr (coastal / high-dust MEA)ReassessNPV ≈ USD 158k but Disc PB ≈ 13.6 yr; switch to higher-efficiency modules (e.g. Tiger Neo 640 W class) or tilt + cleaning programme

5. Mini cert block (equipment + standards)

ItemModel / standardStatus
Modules — modelJinko Tiger Neo JKM625N-78HL4-BDV, 625 WpNamed
Modules — safetyIEC 61730-1 / -2, Class CRequired — IEC 61730-1 · IEC 61730-2
Modules — performanceIEC 61215-1 / -2 (c-Si, TOPCon)Required — IEC 61215-1
Inverter — modelSungrow SG125HT, 125 kW, 1,500 V DCNamed
Inverter — safetyIEC 62109-1 / -2Required — IEC 62109-1 · IEC 62109-2
DC cablesTÜV 2 PfG 1169 / EN 50618Required
Power qualityIEEE 519 / IEC 61000-3-12Required
Transport — modulesUN Manual of Tests and Criteria, §38.3 (lithium is N/A; modules are inert)UN MTC §38.3 — not required for c-Si modules, noted for completeness
Grid connectionLocal DSO code (MEA country)Pending — verify per site
Fire / structuralEN 13501-5 / local civil codePending — verify per site

6. HS code block (duty rates PENDING)

HS 2022DescriptionSourceDuty (MEA)
8541.43Photovoltaic cells, assembled in modules or made up into panelsUSITC HTS search · EU TARIC consultationPENDING
8504.40Static converters — inverters for solar PVUSITC HTS search · EU TARIC consultationPENDING
7610.90Aluminium structures for rooftop PV mountingUSITC HTS searchPENDING
8544.42DC cables, PV-rated (TÜV 2 PfG 1169)USITC HTS searchPENDING

Lookup instructions: consult the destination country's WCO Harmonized System schedule on the local customs authority website (e.g. SARS, GRA, URA); cross-check with the WTO Tariff Download platform, the EU TARIC consultation, the USITC HTS, and the UK Global Tariff for EU/UK-bound flows. Confirm preferential rates under AfCFTA, the GCC Common External Tariff, GSP, or any bilateral FTA as applicable.

Disclaimer: duty rates shown above are deliberately marked PENDING. Tradvolt does not assert any duty rate as fact. Importers must verify the applicable rate for the specific consignee and country before procurement.

7. Call to action

Request a single, absolute RFQ for this 700 kWp depot configuration

8. Methodology notes & limitations

Page slug: /use-cases/depot-solar-700kwp-mea-r9/ · Author: tradvolt.com · Reviewed by: muse-ba · Financial figures: authoritative, computed by audited model (do not edit).