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What does a solar feasibility study answer?
A feasibility study answers four questions before anything is bought: how large the system should be, which configuration suits the site, how much electricity and generator fuel it will save, and how quickly it pays back. It also identifies the risks: structural limits, shading, grid and generator integration, permits and the net metering route.
What does Law 318/2023 change for solar in Lebanon?
Law 318/2023 on distributed renewable energy, ratified by Parliament on 14 December 2023, legalises net metering in individual, multiple-tenant and collective forms, and allows private parties to trade renewable electricity through direct power purchase agreements or equipment leasing, with a cap of 10 MW[1][2]. The Electricity Regulatory Authority, which the law tasks with monitoring, had its board appointed in September 2025[3]. Until procedures under the law are fully in place, a feasibility study should state which arrangement it assumes and check the current EDL procedure for the connection.
Why do generators and batteries change the design?
Lebanon's solar capacity is estimated at around 1,200 MW[4]. Most sites that install solar also run on a mix of grid hours, diesel generators and batteries. Solar cuts generator fuel only if the system is designed around how the site actually operates: when loads peak, when the grid is available and how the generator controller responds. A PV-diesel hybrid design, with the generator kept above its minimum load, often gives the best return.
What does the study cover, step by step?
- Analyse 12 months of consumption and generator fuel to build a load profile.
- Survey the roof or land: area, orientation, shading, structural capacity and access.
- Model the yield for the site and size options: grid-tied, hybrid with the generator, with or without batteries.
- Check grid and generator integration, protection and controls.
- Estimate capital cost, fuel and bill savings, payback and emission reductions for each option.
- Recommend an option, with its risks, permits and net metering route.
Which system option fits your site?
| Option | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Grid-tied with net metering | Sites with good grid hours | EDL procedures and metering |
| PV-diesel hybrid | Sites relying on generators | Controller compatibility, minimum generator load |
| PV with batteries | Critical loads, short evening peaks | Battery cost and replacement |
Where independent support helps
An independent study compares options without a supplier's preference and gives lenders, donors and boards a defensible basis for the decision. Otibara carries out solar feasibility studies and design reviews for municipalities, health facilities, businesses and development partners.
Common questions
How long does a solar feasibility study take?
Usually two to four weeks for a single site, depending on data availability and site access.
Is net metering available in Lebanon?
Law 318/2023 provides for net metering[1]. Check the current EDL procedure for your connection before relying on it in the financial case.
Do we still need the generator?
Usually yes, for nights and long cloudy periods, unless batteries are sized for full backup. A hybrid design reduces how long the generator runs rather than removing it.
Should we add batteries?
Batteries suit critical loads and short evening peaks. They add capital cost and need replacing during the system's life, so the study should test options with and without them.
What does a lender or donor look for in the study?
A load profile built from real data, yield modelled for the actual site, options compared on the same assumptions, a sensitivity check on fuel prices and tariffs, and clearly stated risks.