During the mobilization phase of new open-pit mines, exploration camps and mountain underground mines, it is common to encounteroff-grid mine sites.
Most projects take diesel generator sets as the default power supply solution.
However, as mobile PV plus battery energy storage (BESS) container solutions have matured, an increasing number of overseas mining enterprises are recalculating their overall project expenditures.
This article compares the full costs of diesel generator sets and mobile PV systems, helping you identify the most cost-effective solution for your project.
Full Cost Comparison Table for Temporary Mining Power Supply
| Comparison Item | Diesel Generator | Mobile PV + BESS | Core Differences |
| Upfront Investment (Matching 150kW Power Capacity) | $8868-14780 | $108000 | The upfront investment of the PV system is 7–12 times that of the pure diesel generator solution, mainly consisting of equipment procurement costs. |
| Annual Fuel Cost (5.5 Operating Hours Daily) | $88000/Year | Nearly Zero (Standby diesel generator only activated on rainy and overcast days, fuel cost reduced by 60%–80%) | Diesel prices are greatly affected by geopolitics and transportation distance; photovoltaic power has almost zero marginal cost, saving approximately $44,000–$59,000 in electricity expenses each year. |
| Annual Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Cost | $800/Year | $80/Year | Diesel generators have numerous moving parts with high failure rates, and maintenance costs rise significantly as the equipment ages; PV systems operate statically with easy routine maintenance, yet a substantial one-time investment is required for battery replacement at the end of service life. |
| 10-Year Full Lifecycle Cost | $910000 | $148000-177000/Year | The total cost of the mobile PV + energy storage solution is only one sixth of the diesel generator scheme. |
Payback Period
- Remote mining sites with high landed diesel cost→Payback within 13 months
- Ordinary inland mines→ Payback in 2 to 3 years
- Project planned operation term≥5years → PV-storage solution delivers lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Supporting Solutions from Xuzhou Zm-Besta
Xuzhou Zm-Besta (Stock Code: 920057) boasts extensive experience in steel structure projects including mine workshops, enclosed belt galleries and mine headframes.
Our containerized mobile PV power units can be deployed as a matched integrated set.
The system supplies eco-friendly temporary power to temporary mine dormitories, ventilation rooms and monitoring systems at the initial construction stage, and can be converted into permanent auxiliary power supply in the later phase.
Contact us right away for exclusive preliminary design and quotation customized for your project. ——Email：info@xzbesta.com
