Solar PV-based EV charging station for urban mobility: a case study of the proposed BRT Line N1 in the Maputo metropolitan area

Abstract

Driven by the need to mitigate climate change, reduce urban air pollution, and decrease reliance on volatile fuel prices, this study explores the integration of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems into the charging infrastructure for electric buses (E-Buses), for the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line N1, in the Maputo Metropolitan Area (MMA). Considering the urban mobility pattern in Maputo, characterized by strong unidirectional flows and high peak-hour demand, the operational schedule was defined based on these critical periods. The E-bus load profile defined using a physical model, yielded an average specific energy consumption of 1.91 kWh/km at the powertrain level. The solar resource assessment, based on the Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) dataset sourced from PVGIS-SARA2 indicated an annual daily average global horizontal irradiation (GHI) of 5.2 kWh/m2, and a global tilted irradiation (GTI) of 5.58 kWh/m2 at the optimum tilt angle of 29 o . Based on the daily load profile, and on the PVGIS dataset, two grid-connected, zero-export PV sizing scenarios were assessed, under strict self-consumption. Scenario-1, sized to meet full daily demand throughout the year, generated an average surplus of about 162. kWh/day, thereby justifying the integration of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Scenario-2, optimised to match annual average demand, resulted in a near-zero net surplus, enabling high self-consumption and eliminating the need for a BESS, with occasional deficits supplied by the national grid. The findings demonstrate that PV-based E-bus charging is technically feasible and offers substantial environmental benefits, including up to 100% elimination of in-situ CO 2 emissions under full PV supply and complete removal of NOx and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions in all electrification scenarios. Overall, the study provides a replicable framework for integrating renewable energy and E-mobility as key enablers for the energy transition, both in Maputo and in other African cities.