ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLEMENTARITY BETWEEN SOLAR PV INSTALLATIONS AND SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANT FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION

Abstract

This study analyses the combination of electricity generation from a solar power plant and a small hydropower plant in order to evaluate their mutual complementarity and the potential to reduce the impact of seasonal variability in electricity production. The research is based on monthly electricity generation data for 2024–2025 from the Dvariukai Small Hydropower Plant and a solar power plant located at Lentvario St. 33 in Vilnius. The operation of the hydropower plant was assessed considering fluctuations in the discharge of the Mūša River, while the performance of the solar power plant was analysed together with meteorological indicators such as cloud cover and precipitation. To evaluate the contribution of solar energy, the share of electricity generated by the solar power plant in total monthly electricity production was calculated. The results revealed that both energy sources exhibit clear seasonal variability and demonstrate mutual complementarity: during the summer months, when river discharge and hydropower generation decrease, the majority of electricity is produced by the solar power plant, whereas during the winter period, when solar irradiation is limited, hydropower becomes the main source of electricity generation. These findings indicate that combining solar and hydropower can contribute to a more stable electricity generation structure.