Economic and environmental imperative of solar PV in post-conflict Iraq: A data-driven case study of Anah
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Zuhair Jaber Mushref 1 * , Mahmood Okash Ahmed 2 , Mohmood Jameel Khalaf 3 , Abu Baker Ahmad Najm 4 , Salah Othman Abed 5
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1 University of Anbar, College of Education for Humanities, Ramadi, IRAQ2 University of Anbar, College of Education, Al-Qaim, IRAQ3 Central Library, University of Anbar, IRAQ4 Dams and Water Resources, College of Engineering, University of Anbar, IRAQ5 Anah Education Department, Anbar Education Directorate, Ramadi, IRAQ* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery storage versus diesel generators in Anah, a post-conflict district in western Iraq. Using 30-year of local climate data and observed market electricity tariffs, the study evaluates economic and environmental feasibility over a 25-year project horizon, the analysis employs the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and life-cycle CO₂ emissions as the key evaluation metrics. The results show a clear economic advantage for solar PV, with an LCOE of $0.14/kWh, compared to $0.32/kWh for diesel generators and an estimated prevailing market price exceeding $0.45/kWh. environmentally, replacing the city’s 75 private diesel generators with solar PV systems would reduce an estimated of 25,000 tons of CO₂ annually. The findings establish Solar PV as the superior techno-economic solution for Anah. Thus, it supports a policy shift toward reallocating fossil fuel subsidies toward financial mechanisms designed to overcome the high upfront capital cost of renewable energy systems.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2026, Article No: em0390

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/18284

Publication date: 01 Apr 2026

Online publication date: 31 Mar 2026

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Article Downloads: 8

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