Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar PV and Grid Integration for Electric Vehicle DC Fast Charging in Uganda

Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly spreading across East Africa, and Uganda is taking aggressive steps to promote them. This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of a hybrid DC fast-charging station that integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) generation with grid connectivity in Eastern Uganda. As EV adoption expands globally, developing nations face unique challenges in establishing reliable charging infrastructure, particularly in regions with grid instability. The study evaluates the technical configuration of a 1.5 MW solar PV array powering DC fast chargers with grid connectivity for backup and surplus energy sales. This research analyzes energy balance optimization, technical integration requirements, and financial performance metrics including Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), and payback period. The analysis reveals that the proposed system achieves a 10 % IRR with a payback period of 8 years and a positive NPV, demonstrating strong commercial viability. The results demonstrate that solar-grid hybrid systems present a viable solution for EV infrastructure development in East Africa, despite challenges related to initial capital investment and policy framework. This case study contributes valuable insights to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable transportation infrastructure in developing economies and provides a replicable model for regions with similar solar resources and grid characteristics. The findings suggest that such systems could accelerate clean transportation adoption while simultaneously strengthening grid resilience and supporting renewable energy integration.