RESEARCHMICROGENERATION
Rural independence 28
While there is a great deal of emphasis on incorporating clean energy into current grid networks, this is not the only opportunity for PV manufacturers. One of the key drivers for pursuing solar power was to alleviate fuel poverty and provide energy to developing regions around the globe. The Alliance for Rural Electrification discusses their recent report on rural microgeneration opportunities.
C
or hybrid systems, increase access to electricity without undermining the fight against climate change.
Members of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) have been involved in the implementation of hundreds of mini-grid projects around the world. The lessons learned from these projects, which are summarized in this report, provide insights on the key issues that must be considered to devise sustainable, replicable models for the scale-up of hybrid mini-grids. Implementing sustainable hybrid mini-grids involves complex technical, financial and organizational issues which must address the end- users and their needs, capacity building and training, tariff and subsidy setting, and the institutional strengths.
Technical Issues
urrently around 1.5 billion people worldwide live without access to
electricity, and without a concerted effort, this number is not likely to drop. Grid extension is often costly and not feasible in isolated rural areas, or is unlikely to be accomplished within the medium term in many areas. In such situations, electricity mini-grids can power household use and local businesses. They provide centralized electricity generation at the local level using a village distribution network and, when fed with renewable
The combination of generation sources and components selected for a hybrid system will have a real influence on the life time of the system and its affordability to end-users. Despite the fact that the economic situation of rural areas pushes for technology choices made on a short term least- cost basis, quality has a dramatic influence on the system’s lifetime and no compromises should be made on the quality of system components to reach the real long term lowest generation costs. To increase efficiency gains and cost savings,
www.solar-pv-management.com Issue V 2011
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