Technical, Economic And Sustainability Considerations Of A Solar Pv Mini Grid As A Tool For Rural Electrification In Uganda
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bakkabulindi, G., Sendegeya, A., Da Silva, I., & Lugujjo, E. (2010, July)
Abstract
The challenges facing rural electrification in Uganda are diverse with
less than 3% of the rural population having access to electricity. The establishment of
mini-grids powered by renewable energy sources makes it possible to electrify remote
areas at affordable rates. In this study, an assessment of a solar PV mini-grid system to
provide electricity to forty households in rural Uganda was carried out. The considered
system comprised six solar modules each rated 175 Wp, a controller, off-grid inverter
and batteries with a capacity of 600 Ah. Manufactured by SMA, the Sunny Island
inverter proposed for the mini-grid would ensure provision of grid-quality electricity. The
study aimed to investigate the mini-grid’s technical design with focus on optimal
distribution against constraints of voltage drops, electrical losses and increasing load.
Customised load limiters shared between households using thermistors were included to
reduce costs and limit consumption. The incomes of rural households are often
seasonal and thus issues pertaining to affordability and sustainability were also
considered. Results of the economic analysis showed a payback period of less than 5
years given an affordable fixed monthly tariff for the case study area.
Description
Keywords
Mini-grid, Photovoltaics (PV), rural electrification
Citation
Bakkabulindi, G., Sendegeya, A., Da Silva, I., & Lugujjo, E. (2010, July). Technical, Economical and Sustainability Considerations of a Solar PV Mini grid as a Tool for Rural Electrification in Uganda. In 5th European Conference on PV-Hybrids and Mini-grids.