TITLE:
Design and Analysis of Solar Energy Mini-Grid for Rural Electrification
AUTHORS:
Michael Juma Saulo, Victor Odhiambo Omondi
KEYWORDS:
Mini-Grid, Photovoltaic (PV), Rural Electrification Program, SWERA
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.9,
September
28,
2015
ABSTRACT: Electric power is a key driver of economic growth and prosperity. But
access to electricity still remains a distant dream for majority of the
population living in the remote and arid areas of developing countries mostly
sub-Saharan Africa. With the growing demand for safe and reliable energy, solar as a source of energy remains the least
utilized energy source in the Kenyan economy and yet one of the safest
forms of energy. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have shown their potential in
rural electrification projects around the world. A solar based mini-grid is a
solar PV (photovoltaic) plant with a localized distribution network to a unit
village, or a cluster of villages, providing alternating current (AC). Basically
it consists of solar PV modules of a certain capacity, solar inverters for
converting the D.C power to AC power, housing for the battery bank and plant
control systems. In areas where there is no grid connection or where diesel
generation is the main power source, PV plants are able to generate electricity
efficiently and relatively cheap. This paper was aimed at developing a standard
procedure for the design and analysis of a mini-grid connected solar PV systems
using PV modules connected in an array field. The standard procedure developed
was validated in the design of a 20 kVA mini-grid-connected solar PV system for
Nanyuki town in Laikipia County, Kenya. The analysis and evaluation of the load
capacity requirements for the solar mini-grid were done. Data collected from
SWERA were compared with the local load requirements. Optimization of the load
versus production capacity of the solar system was carried out. The results showed that a mini-grid
system of 20 kVA might be developed at a capital cost of US$ 56,000 to cater
for 8400 households including a school and dispensary. Analyses of the simulation
results show that the project when implemented will supply about 61 KW·h
electricity per day or 22.2 MWh annually, which is about 15% of Nanyuki’s
annual electricity consumption. The project also stands the chance of saving
about 200 tonnes of CO2 which will have been emitted by a crude oil
fired thermal power plant generating the same amount of electricity. At the
prevailing tariff conditions in the country, this project can be considered as
financially viable with feed-in tariff scheme
or other incentives such as grants/capital subsidies when applied. However, the
other non-financial benefits like the greenhouse gas emissions savings can, in
the long run, help mitigate the adverse effects of the climate change problem
plaguing the entire earth.