How we model landed cost and total cost of ownership
Tradvolt’s cost guides use scenarios to show how import and ownership costs can affect a buying decision. Results depend on the stated inputs and are not quotes.
Method
1. Define the case: identify the reference equipment, destination, use, analysis horizon and discount rate.
2. Separate sourced inputs from assumptions: label scenario defaults and pending lookups; record the source and date for cited claims.
3. Build the cost stack: list equipment and relevant import, installation and operating costs. Check which lines actually enter the calculation.
4. Calculate and interpret: read the year-by-year cost, benefit and energy cash flows alongside discounted and undiscounted totals, and metrics such as NPV, payback or LCOE/LCOS where provided.
5. Identify gaps before procurement: obtain current supplier and service quotes, confirm the applicable tariff and tax treatment, and check equipment documents and local requirements.
Cost lines in the studies
| Cost line | How it appears |
|---|---|
| Equipment and balance of system | FOB equipment and components, or a turnkey capital cost. |
| Freight and insurance | Ocean freight and marine insurance where applicable. |
| Border and delivery | Duty, levies, VAT, brokerage, port charges and inland haulage; rates can be pending. |
| Installation and commissioning | Installation, commissioning and grid-connection paperwork. |
| Operation and lifecycle | Maintenance, monitoring, spares, insurance, replacement or battery augmentation; charging cost in a storage model. |
A checklist is not necessarily a cash-flow input. The Ghana study lists operating costs separately and says they are not netted in its scenario TCO. The Italy and hospital studies include recurring costs in their cash flows.
What we verify / what we do not assert
The studies point buyers to OEM documents, applicable standards and official customs or tax portals, and flag items for confirmation at RFQ or import. A reference to a standard does not establish that a specific product or lot is certified. HS classification, duty and VAT depend on the goods and destination and may remain pending; confirm them with the relevant authority and a qualified local broker.
Model assumptions, indicative prices and calculated outcomes are not verified project facts, binding quotations or guaranteed savings. Exclusions matter: the hospital case does not monetize resilience, demand charges or carbon credits. The figures and sources belong to their stated evidence dates and should be checked again before use.
Sourcing note
The examples below cite OEM material, IEC publications, the Ghana Revenue Authority, EU TARIC and Italian tax authorities, as well as IRENA and other named sources. Follow each study’s source rows for the specific claim and date; a citation to a publication does not verify every scenario input.