Photovoltaic Solar Technologies: Solution to Affordable, Sustainable, and Reliable Energy Access for All in Rwanda

Despite remarkable economic growth and development in recent decades, Rwanda has been still facing energy crises and challenges. Although the country has considerable energy assets, less than 10% is utilized for its local electricity needs. Currently, national installed generation capacity is estimated at 221 MW, for a population around 12 million, and electricity access is estimated at 51% (37% grid and 14% off-grid networks). About half the population is without electricity access while the grid-connected users face high electricity tariffs and frequent power outages (blackouts). The national grid itself is also experiencing high losses. This paper used the HOMER software for modeling the optimal, sustainable, reliable, and affordable photovoltaic solar technologies as energy solutions for all (off-grid and on-grid users) in Rwanda. The selection and recommendation of a suitable photovoltaic (PV) solar technology depend on its annual electricity production capacity, electrical load, renewable energy penetration percentage, economic viability, feasibility, affordability, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emission level for climate change considerations towards a clean and greener future. The results show that the least cost of energy (LCOE) for electricity production by each of the solar PV systems with storage, PV-grid-connected household, and PV-grid connection with storage was 67.5%, 56.8%, and 33.9%, respectively, lower than the normal electricity tariff in Rwanda. The PV systems with storage proposed in this paper could be effective in increasing national energy resource exploitation, providing affordable and reliable energy access to all citizens.

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Critical Review of PV Grid-Tied Inverters

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12101921 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1921 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

B. Kavya Santhoshi ◽

K. Mohana Sundaram ◽

Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban ◽

Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen ◽

Prabhakaran K. K.

Keyword(s):

Reactive Power ◽

Reactive Power Compensation ◽

Power Grids ◽

Solar Photovoltaic ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Different Types ◽

Grid Codes ◽

Pv Grid ◽

Support Devices

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems have been in use predominantly since the last decade. Inverter fed PV grid topologies are being used prominently to meet power requirements and to insert renewable forms of energy into power grids. At present, coping with growing electricity demands is a major challenge. This paper presents a detailed review of topological advancements in PV-Grid Tied Inverters along with the advantages, disadvantages and main features of each. The different types of inverters used in the literature in this context are presented. Reactive power is one of the ancillary services provided by PV. It is recommended that reactive power from the inverter to grid be injected for reactive power compensation in localized networks. This practice is being implemented in many countries, and researchers have been trying to find an optimal way of injecting reactive power into grids considering grid codes and requirements. Keeping in mind the importance of grid codes and standards, a review of grid integration, the popular configurations available in literature, Synchronization methods and standards is presented, citing the key features of each kind. For successful integration with a grid, coordination between the support devices used for reactive power compensation and their optimal reactive power capacity is important for stability in grid power. Hence, the most important and recommended intelligent algorithms for the optimization and proper coordination are peer reviewed and presented. Thus, an overview of Solar PV energy-fed inverters connected to the grid is presented in this paper, which can serve as a guide for researchers and policymakers.

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The Technical Challenges Facing the Integration of Small-Scale and Large-scale PV Systems into the Grid: A Critical Review

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics8121443 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1443 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Abdullah Alshahrani ◽

Siddig Omer ◽

Yuehong Su ◽

Elamin Mohamed ◽

Saleh Alotaibi

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Distribution Network ◽

Small Scale ◽

Energy Access ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Pv System ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Technical Challenges ◽

Technical Solutions ◽

The Impact

Decarbonisation, energy security and expanding energy access are the main driving forces behind the worldwide increasing attention in renewable energy. This paper focuses on the solar photovoltaic (PV) technology because, currently, it has the most attention in the energy sector due to the sharp drop in the solar PV system cost, which was one of the main barriers of PV large-scale deployment. Firstly, this paper extensively reviews the technical challenges, potential technical solutions and the research carried out in integrating high shares of small-scale PV systems into the distribution network of the grid in order to give a clearer picture of the impact since most of the PV systems installations were at small scales and connected into the distribution network. The paper reviews the localised technical challenges, grid stability challenges and technical solutions on integrating large-scale PV systems into the transmission network of the grid. In addition, the current practices for managing the variability of large-scale PV systems by the grid operators are discussed. Finally, this paper concludes by summarising the critical technical aspects facing the integration of the PV system depending on their size into the grid, in which it provides a strong point of reference and a useful framework for the researchers planning to exploit this field further on.

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The Importance of Contextual Factors in Determining the Greenhouse Gas Emission Impacts of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Volume 2A: 41st Design Automation Conference ◽

10.1115/detc2015-46471 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julia M. O’Rourke ◽

Carolyn C. Seepersad

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽

Contextual Factors ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Small Scale ◽

Solar Photovoltaic ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Pv Systems ◽

The Many

Small-scale residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming increasingly common. In some cases, governments or individual homeowners promote PV technology because of concerns about climate change and a desire to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). While solar PV directly emits no GHGs during use, the panels are associated with a significant amount of embedded GHG emissions, resulting from the manufacturing of the panels, for instance. A review of relevant literature reveals that the life cycle GHG emissions of solar PV panels are significantly influenced by contextual factors, such as the location of the panels during use. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the many ways context could affect the GHG emissions associated with solar PV systems and to demonstrate — via calculations from a simple analytical model — the potential magnitude of the GHG emissions differences associated with using PV panels in different contexts.

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Using a Multi-Criteria Model to Assess the Suitability of Potential Sites to Implement Off-Grid Solar PV Projects in South America

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13147546 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 7546

Author(s):

Laura M. Hinestroza-Olascuaga ◽

Pedro M. S. Carvalho ◽

Célia M. S. Cardoso de Jesus

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Private Sector ◽

Selection Process ◽

Energy Access ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Environmental Consequences ◽

Utility Companies ◽

Private Investors ◽

Electricity Access

The role of the private sector is essential in providing energy access to all by 2030. However, private investors often face the decision problem of deciding where to implement off-grid projects. This selection process can be considered a multifactorial task because it requires accounting not only for local conditions, technical constraints, and economic-financial feasibility but also for socio-cultural dynamics and environmental consequences. In this paper, we implemented a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method based on the Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) to assist in the selection of the most suitable location to implement off-grid solar PV projects in South America. Following a participatory process with the input of a decision-maker representing the private sector, we combined 13 criteria, within 5 dimensions, to evaluate the performance of three potential sites, namely Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. Based on an overall score associated with each alternative, we grouped them into three categories: highly sustainable, sustainable, and unsustainable. As a result, Colombia represents the highest sustainable option for a potential private investor. This methodology provides guidance not only to investors but also to local utility companies and policymakers assessing off-grid locations with electricity access deficits, in developing countries.

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Electricity Access, Community Healthcare Service Delivery, and Rural Development Nexus: Analysis of 3 Solar Electrified CHPS in Off-Grid Communities in Ghana

Journal of Energy ◽

10.1155/2020/9702505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard Opoku ◽

Eunice A. Adjei ◽

George Y. Obeng ◽

Luc Severi ◽

Abdul-Rahim Bawa

Keyword(s):

Rural Development ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Community Health ◽

Healthcare Service ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Time Savings ◽

Electricity Access

Over 600 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity. Modern healthcare services, including vaccine refrigeration, which require electricity are therefore lacking in such energy-deprived communities. In this work, analysis has been conducted on how electricity access can help improve healthcare service delivery and rural development, with a case study on 3 different off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in community-based health planning and services (CHPS) in Ghana. Analysis from this study showed that for the 3.0 kWp solar PV systems installed at the various sites, the in-house electricity consumptions are between 4.30 and 7.58 kWh per day. It was found out that excess electricity generation of 148–304 kWh per month is available and can be used to provide other economic services including phone charging, torchlight battery charging, and small-sized cold storage services to generate income for the maintenance of the systems, which is critical for sustainability of solar PV installations in rural poor communities. The study results also showed that electrified health facilities which are able to provide basic healthcare services have potential impact on community health outcomes and rural development. Assessment conducted at the CHPS compounds revealed that, generally, there is improvement in healthcare service delivery resulting in time savings of 15-43 hours per month for the inhabitants which can potentially be used for productive work. The time savings were more significant in females and children than in males. In many rural agro-based communities in developing countries, female and children are usually the workforce engaged in various farming activities. This paper concludes that access to electricity in CHPS compounds helps to improve community health outcomes and increases time availability for women to engage in productive work that can potentially result in significant socioeconomic activities and rural development.

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Fýsileiki virkjunar sólarorku á norðurslóðum: Reynsla af sólarpanelum IKEA á Íslandi

10.33112/ije.25.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Sindri Þrastarson ◽

Björn Marteinsson ◽

Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir

Keyword(s):

Energy Production ◽

Production Capacity ◽

Production Costs ◽

Performance Ratio ◽

Solar Irradiation ◽

Specific Yield ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Solar Panels ◽

Pv System ◽

Pv Systems

The efficiency and production costs of solar panels have improved dramatically in the past decades. The Nordic countries have taken steps in instigating photovoltaic (PV) systems into energy production despite limited incoming solar radiation in winter. IKEA installed the first major PV system in Iceland with 65 solar panels with 17.55 kW of production capacity in the summer of 2018. The purpose of this research was to assess the feasibility of PV systems in Reykjavík based on solar irradiation measurements, energy production of a PV array located at IKEA and theory. Results suggests that net irradiation in Reykjavík (64°N, 21° V) was on average about 780 kWh/m2 per year (based on years 2008-2018), highest 140 kWh/m2 in July and lowest 1,8 kWh/m2 in December. Maximum annual solar power is generated by solar panels installed at a 40° fixed angle. PV panels at a lower angle produce more energy during summer. Conversely, higher angles maximize production in the winter. The PV system produced over 12 MWh over a one-year period and annual specific yield was 712 kWh/kW and performance ratio 69% which is about 10% lower than in similar studies in cold climates. That difference can be explained by snow cover, shadow falling on the panels and panels not being fixed at optimal slope. Payback time for the IKEA PV system was calculated 24 years which considers low electricity prices in Reykjavik and unforeseen high installation costs. Solar energy could be a feasible option in the future if production- and installation costs were to decrease and if the solar PV output could be sold to the electric grid in Iceland.

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Estimating Market Potential for Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Uganda

Frontiers in Energy Research ◽

10.3389/fenrg.2021.602468 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Sylvia Manjeri Aarakit ◽

Vincent Fred Ssennono ◽

Muyiwa S. Adaramola

Keyword(s):

Business Models ◽

Market Potential ◽

Supply Side ◽

Solar Photovoltaic ◽

Demand Side ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Alternative Technologies ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Electricity Access ◽

Total Market

With only 28% of the population having access to electricity, Uganda presents a huge market potential for alternative technologies to provide electricity such as solar PV systems. Using a simple statistical method (neighbourhood approach), this study estimates the market potential for solar PV in households based on a 2018 National Electrification Survey dataset collected by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). Results show that approximately 5.3 million households lack access to electricity, thus the total market potential. Over 60% of households lack access to electricity due to supply-side gaps (also known as absence of coverage) while the rest of the households have coverage but lack access due to demand side limitations (also known as no uptake). On the contrary, our results suggest that supply-side gaps constitute the biggest proportion of electricity access deficit in Uganda’s households. Implying that these households may be willing and have the ability to pay but lack supply, thus these households constitute an immediate market potential for solar PV systems. To address the electricity access deficit, private solar companies should target unserved households with appropriate systems/products and innovative business models to suit their needs. Government on the other hand should subsidize households with affordability challenges or enhance their income.

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A tes

Indonesian Journal of Energy ◽

10.33116/ije.v1i3.27 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

Author(s):

IJE Manager

Keyword(s):

Energy Supply ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Past Century ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Trade Offs ◽

A Site ◽

Selection Methodology

In the past century, fossil fuels have dominated energy supply in Indonesia. However, concerns over emissions are likely to change the future energy supply. As people become more conscious of environmental issues, alternatives for energy are sought to reduce the environmental impacts. These include renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, most RE sources like solar PV are not available continuously since they depend on weather conditions, in addition to geographical location. Bali has a stable and long sunny day with 12 hours of daylight throughout the year and an average insolation of 5.3 kWh/m2 per day. This study looks at the potential for on-grid solar PV to decarbonize energy in Bali. A site selection methodology using GIS is applied to measure solar PV potential. Firstly, the study investigates the boundaries related to environmental acceptability and economic objectives for land use in Bali. Secondly, the potential of solar energy is estimated by defining the suitable areas, given the technical assumptions of solar PV. Finally, the study extends the analysis to calculate the reduction in emissions when the calculated potential is installed. Some technical factors, such as tilting solar, and intermittency throughout the day, are outside the scope of this study. Based on this model, Bali has an annual electricity potential for 32-53 TWh from solar PV using amorphous thin-film silicon as the cheapest option. This potential amount to three times the electricity supply for the island in 2024 which is estimated at 10 TWh. Bali has an excessive potential to support its own electricity demand with renewables, however, some limitations exist with some trade-offs to realize the idea. These results aim to build a developmental vision of solar PV systems in Bali based on available land and the region’s irradiation.

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Reconfigurable Distributed Power Electronics Technique for Solar PV Systems

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10091121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1121

Author(s):

Kamran Ali Khan Niazi ◽

Yongheng Yang ◽

Tamas Kerekes ◽

Dezso Sera

Keyword(s):

Energy Yield ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Charge Redistribution ◽

Pv System ◽

Partial Shading ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Simulation Based ◽

In Series ◽

A Cell ◽

Power Balancing

A reconfiguration technique using a switched-capacitor (SC)-based voltage equalizer differential power processing (DPP) concept is proposed in this paper for photovoltaic (PV) systems at a cell/subpanel/panel-level. The proposed active diffusion charge redistribution (ADCR) architecture increases the energy yield during mismatch and adds a voltage boosting capability to the PV system under no mismatch by connected the available PV cells/panels in series. The technique performs a reconfiguration by measuring the PV cell/panel voltages and their irradiances. The power balancing is achieved by charge redistribution through SC under mismatch conditions, e.g., partial shading. Moreover, PV cells/panels remain in series under no mismatch. Overall, this paper analyzes, simulates, and evaluates the effectiveness of the proposed DPP architecture through a simulation-based model prepared in PSIM. Additionally, the effectiveness is also demonstrated by comparing it with existing conventional DPP and traditional bypass diode architecture.

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