Reducing the operating costs of fossil fuels with other alternative energy sources, particularly in the transport sector, is now of national importance. The study presents a modelling approach for assessment of optimal operation of solar PV system for locomotive schedule operation in South Africa. The study approach entails indirect and direct system solar powered system (SPS) modelling, train loading modelling and cost evaluation model implication for economic assessment of its operation. In this study, a diesel-grid-SPS hybridisation in different configurations (three) was designed, simulated and analysed. The aim was to assess the most efficient and cost effective operation in relation to power provision to the locomotive while also addressing the issue of excess (surplus) supply back to the gird and its profitability. The operational running cost of the indirect systems seemed to present the cheapest alternative to fossil fuel energy usage for the train. However, energy storage technology capacity (battery weight) in respect of the indirect system makes it ideally not feasible for such purpose. From the result analysis, it can be deduced that the direct system is more economical from the point of energy cost performance characterization.
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