Application of Solar Energy in Poultry Farms in Central Bekaa of Lebanon: Farmers’ Willingness and Optimization of Hybrid Energy Solutions

Abstract

Lebanon’s ongoing electricity crisis has significantly impacted the poultry sector, increasing reliance on costly diesel generation and reducing competitiveness. Given the country’s high solar potential, hybrid photovoltaic (PV) based energy systems offer a promising alternative to improve cost efficiency and sustainability. This study examines the optimization, environmental impacts, and adoption factors of hybrid renewable energy systems for poultry farms in Central Bekaa, Lebanon.

A survey was conducted across a total of 171 farms in the region, where 60% were layer farms, 31% were broiler farms, and the remaining 9% were breeder farms. Based on the collected data, representative small and medium farm electricity models were developed for both broiler and layer systems. The Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER Pro) software was used to identify the optimal system configuration for each farm type, with optimization based on minimizing the net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

The results indicate that the optimal configurations for small broiler farms consist of photovoltaic capacity of approximately 17.2 kW, battery storage of 26 kWh, and a generator capacity of 6.8 kW achieving a renewable energy fraction of 60.2%, while for medium broiler farms the system consists of 54.5 kW PV, 87 kWh batteries, and 23 kW generator achieving a renewable fraction of 57.9%. For layer farms, the optimal systems were found to be 32.4 kW PV, 69 kWh batteries, and 7.2 kW generator for small-scale farms, and 82.4 kW PV, 175 kWh batteries, and 19 kW generator for medium-scale farms, achieving an average of renewable energy fractions of approximately 93% per size.

In addition to the optimal configurations, a threshold renewable energy fraction was identified for the PV–generator–battery system, estimated at 36.2% for small layer farms, 34.5% for medium layer farms, 30.9% for small broiler and 32.2% for medium broiler farms. This threshold represents the minimum level of renewable energy integration required to maintain economic feasibility, as system below this level result in higher NPC and LCOE compared to conventional systems.

Environmental assessment results show significant reductions in emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). The optimal hybrid systems achieved average emission reductions of 76% for broiler farms, and 93% for layer farms, compared to conventional generator-based systems.

Furthermore, factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt renewable energy were analyzed using Spearman correlation. The results indicate that education level and ownership/partnership structure are negatively correlated with adoption willingness, while electricity cost, availability of nearby land, and access to power cables show a positive correlation.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that hybrid PV–generator–battery systems provide a cost-effective and reliable solution for poultry farms in Central Bekaa, while highlighting the importance of economic, infrastructural, and socio-demographic factors in shaping renewable energy adoption.