IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v136y2014icp336-346.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An assessment of unforeseen losses resulting from inappropriate use of solar home systems in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Azimoh, Chukwuma Leonard
  • Wallin, Fredrik
  • Klintenberg, Patrik
  • Karlsson, Björn

Abstract

One of the challenges to the sustainability of the Solar Home System (SHS) electrification program in South Africa is equipment theft. In response to this, communities susceptible to solar panel theft resort to mounting their panels flat on the ground so they can be looked after during the day and taken indoors at night for safe keeping. Other households use their security lights to illuminate their environment and provide security for pole and roof mounted solar panels at night. These actions have consequential effects on the performance of the SHS. Several studies have detected resentment from households regarding the low power quality from these systems. Most scientific contributions on the issue of low power from SHS have focused on the challenges based on the technical designs of the systems. The power losses due to the usage pattern of the system has not received much attention. This study therefore reports on the technical losses as a result of the deviation from the designed and installed specification of the system by the users in order to protect their systems. It also investigates the linkage between the technical and economic losses which affects the sustainability of SHS program. A case study was performed in Thlatlaganya village within Limpopo province in South Africa. Technical analysis using PVSYST solar software revealed that the energy output and performance of the battery is compromised as a result of these practices. Economic analysis indicates that the battery life and the economics of owning and operating SHS are affected negatively. The study recommends solutions to mitigate these losses, and proposes a cost effective way of optimizing the operation of SHS using a Bench-Rack system for mounting solar panels.

Suggested Citation

  • Azimoh, Chukwuma Leonard & Wallin, Fredrik & Klintenberg, Patrik & Karlsson, Björn, 2014. "An assessment of unforeseen losses resulting from inappropriate use of solar home systems in South Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 336-346.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:136:y:2014:i:c:p:336-346
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.044
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261914009921
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.044?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fara, Silvian & Finta, Dumitru & Micu, Gheorghe, 1998. "Problems of village electrification based on PV systems in Romania: Individual solar home systems for settlements in the Cerna Valley," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 519-522.
    2. Phuangpornpitak, N. & Kumar, S., 2007. "PV hybrid systems for rural electrification in Thailand," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(7), pages 1530-1543, September.
    3. Rehman, Shafiqur & Al-Hadhrami, Luai M., 2010. "Study of a solar PV–diesel–battery hybrid power system for a remotely located population near Rafha, Saudi Arabia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 4986-4995.
    4. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & D'Agostino, Anthony L. & Jain Bambawale, Malavika, 2011. "The socio-technical barriers to Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Papua New Guinea: "Choosing pigs, prostitutes, and poker chips over panels"," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1532-1542, March.
    5. Urmee, Tania & Harries, David & Schlapfer, August, 2009. "Issues related to rural electrification using renewable energy in developing countries of Asia and Pacific," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 354-357.
    6. Nguyen, Khanh Q., 2007. "Alternatives to grid extension for rural electrification: Decentralized renewable energy technologies in Vietnam," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 2579-2589, April.
    7. Nishimura, A. & Hayashi, Y. & Tanaka, K. & Hirota, M. & Kato, S. & Ito, M. & Araki, K. & Hu, E.J., 2010. "Life cycle assessment and evaluation of energy payback time on high-concentration photovoltaic power generation system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(9), pages 2797-2807, September.
    8. Mulugetta, Yacob & Nhete, Tinashe & Jackson, Tim, 2000. "Photovoltaics in Zimbabwe: lessons from the GEF Solar project," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(14), pages 1069-1080, November.
    9. Kostic, Lj.T. & Pavlovic, T.M. & Pavlovic, Z.T., 2010. "Optimal design of orientation of PV/T collector with reflectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3023-3029, October.
    10. Ellegård, Anders & Arvidson, Anders & Nordström, Mattias & Kalumiana, Oscar S & Mwanza, Clotilda, 2004. "Rural people pay for solar: experiences from the Zambia PV-ESCO project," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1251-1263.
    11. Cheng, C.L. & Sanchez Jimenez, Charles S. & Lee, Meng-Chieh, 2009. "Research of BIPV optimal tilted angle, use of latitude concept for south orientated plans," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1644-1650.
    12. Celik, Ali Naci, 2006. "Present status of photovoltaic energy in Turkey and life cycle techno-economic analysis of a grid-connected photovoltaic-house," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 370-387, August.
    13. Schillebeeckx, Simon J.D. & Parikh, Priti & Bansal, Rahul & George, Gerard, 2012. "An integrated framework for rural electrification: Adopting a user-centric approach to business model development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 687-697.
    14. Asl-Soleimani, E & Farhangi, S & Zabihi, M.S, 2001. "The effect of tilt angle, air pollution on performance of photovoltaic systems in Tehran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 459-468.
    15. Bhattacharyya, Subhes C., 2006. "Renewable energies and the poor: niche or nexus?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 659-663, April.
    16. Afrane, George & Ntiamoah, Augustine, 2012. "Analysis of the life-cycle costs and environmental impacts of cooking fuels used in Ghana," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 301-306.
    17. Kolhe, Mohanlal & Kolhe, Sunita & Joshi, J. C., 2002. "Economic viability of stand-alone solar photovoltaic system in comparison with diesel-powered system for India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 155-165, March.
    18. Zweibel, Ken, 2010. "Should solar photovoltaics be deployed sooner because of long operating life at low, predictable cost?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(11), pages 7519-7530, November.
    19. Branker, K. & Pathak, M.J.M. & Pearce, J.M., 2011. "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4470-4482.
    20. Bhandari, Ramchandra & Stadler, Ingo, 2011. "Electrification using solar photovoltaic systems in Nepal," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(2), pages 458-465, February.
    21. Gustavsson, Mathias, 2007. "With time comes increased loads—An analysis of solar home system use in Lundazi, Zambia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 796-813.
    22. Linguet, L. & Hidair, I., 2010. "A detailed analysis of the productivity of solar home system in an Amazonian environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 745-753, February.
    23. van der Vleuten, F. & Stam, N. & van der Plas, R., 2007. "Putting solar home system programmes into perspective: What lessons are relevant?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1439-1451, March.
    24. Drennen, Thomas E & Erickson, Jon D & Chapman, Duane, 1996. "Solar power and climate change policy in developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 9-16, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ridha, Hussein Mohammed & Hizam, Hashim & Mirjalili, Seyedali & Othman, Mohammad Lutfi & Ya'acob, Mohammad Effendy & Ahmadipour, Masoud, 2023. "Innovative hybridization of the two-archive and PROMETHEE-II triple-objective and multi-criterion decision making for optimum configuration of the hybrid renewable energy system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    2. Rebekka Besner & Kedar Mehta & Wilfried Zörner, 2023. "How to Enhance Energy Services in Informal Settlements? Qualitative Comparison of Renewable Energy Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Srivastava, Raj Shekhar & Kumar, Anuruddh & Thakur, Harishchandra & Vaish, Rahul, 2022. "Solar assisted thermoelectric cooling/heating system for vehicle cabin during parking: A numerical study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 384-403.
    4. Wang, Hai & Huang, Jin & Song, Mengjie & Yan, Jian, 2019. "Effects of receiver parameters on the optical performance of a fixed-focus Fresnel lens solar concentrator/cavity receiver system in solar cooker," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 70-82.
    5. Annika Groth, 2020. "Overcoming One-way Impact Evaluation of Rural Electrification Projects," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(2), pages 464-476.
    6. Vivien Kizilcec & Priti Parikh & Iwona Bisaga, 2021. "Examining the Journey of a Pay-as-You-Go Solar Home System Customer: A Case Study of Rwanda," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-26, January.
    7. Fernando Antonanzas-Torres & Javier Antonanzas & Julio Blanco-Fernandez, 2021. "Environmental Impact of Solar Home Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-19, August.
    8. Sheridan, Steve & Sunderland, Keith & Courtney, Jane, 2023. "Swarm electrification: A comprehensive literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    9. Divya Vohra & Edith Felix & Duncan Chaplin & Arif Mamun, "undated". "Evaluation of the Kigoma Solar Activity in Tanzania: Final Report," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 70763ce2e26a4b9e8842677d1, Mathematica Policy Research.
    10. Xinfang Wang & Rosie Day & Dan Murrant & Antonio Diego Marín & David Castrejón Botello & Francisco López González & Jonathan Radcliffe, 2021. "A Capabilities-Led Approach to Assessing Technological Solutions for a Rural Community," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, March.
    11. Shalu Agrawal & Abhishek Jain, 2019. "Sustainable deployment of solar irrigation pumps: Key determinants and strategies," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(2), March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chaurey, Akanksha & Kandpal, Tara Chandra, 2010. "Assessment and evaluation of PV based decentralized rural electrification: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(8), pages 2266-2278, October.
    2. Mandelli, Stefano & Barbieri, Jacopo & Mereu, Riccardo & Colombo, Emanuela, 2016. "Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1621-1646.
    3. Javadi, F.S. & Rismanchi, B. & Sarraf, M. & Afshar, O. & Saidur, R. & Ping, H.W. & Rahim, N.A., 2013. "Global policy of rural electrification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 402-416.
    4. Thomas, P.J.M. & Sandwell, P. & Williamson, S.J. & Harper, P.W., 2021. "A PESTLE analysis of solar home systems in refugee camps in Rwanda," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    5. Sarah Feron, 2016. "Sustainability of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Electrification in Developing Countries: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-26, December.
    6. Goel, Sonali & Sharma, Renu, 2017. "Performance evaluation of stand alone, grid connected and hybrid renewable energy systems for rural application: A comparative review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1378-1389.
    7. Ahlborg, Helene & Hammar, Linus, 2014. "Drivers and barriers to rural electrification in Tanzania and Mozambique – Grid-extension, off-grid, and renewable energy technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 117-124.
    8. Rômulo de Oliveira Azevêdo & Paulo Rotela Junior & Luiz Célio Souza Rocha & Gianfranco Chicco & Giancarlo Aquila & Rogério Santana Peruchi, 2020. "Identification and Analysis of Impact Factors on the Economic Feasibility of Photovoltaic Energy Investments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-40, September.
    9. Komatsu, Satoru & Kaneko, Shinji & Ghosh, Partha Pratim & Morinaga, Akane, 2013. "Determinants of user satisfaction with solar home systems in rural Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 52-58.
    10. Urmee, Tania & Md, Anisuzzaman, 2016. "Social, cultural and political dimensions of off-grid renewable energy programs in developing countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 159-167.
    11. Holtorf, Hans & Urmee, Tania & Calais, Martina & Pryor, Trevor, 2015. "A model to evaluate the success of Solar Home Systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 245-255.
    12. Friebe, Christian A. & Flotow, Paschen von & Täube, Florian A., 2013. "Exploring the link between products and services in low-income markets—Evidence from solar home systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 760-769.
    13. Hosenuzzaman, M. & Rahim, N.A. & Selvaraj, J. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Malek, A.B.M.A. & Nahar, A., 2015. "Global prospects, progress, policies, and environmental impact of solar photovoltaic power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 284-297.
    14. Dornan, Matthew, 2014. "Access to electricity in Small Island Developing States of the Pacific: Issues and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 726-735.
    15. George Adwek & Shen Boxiong & Paul O. Ndolo & Zachary O. Siagi & Chebet Chepsaigutt & Cicilia M. Kemunto & Moses Arowo & John Shimmon & Patrobers Simiyu & Abel C. Yabo, 2020. "The solar energy access in Kenya: a review focusing on Pay-As-You-Go solar home system," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 3897-3938, June.
    16. Díaz, P. & Arias, C.A. & Peña, R. & Sandoval, D., 2010. "FAR from the grid: A rural electrification field study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2829-2834.
    17. Haytham El-houari & Amine Allouhi & Shafiqur Rehman & Mahmut Sami Buker & Tarik Kousksou & Abdelmajid Jamil & Bouchta El Amrani, 2019. "Design, Simulation, and Economic Optimization of an Off-Grid Photovoltaic System for Rural Electrification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    18. Abolhosseini, Shahrouz & Heshmati, Almas & Altmann, Jörn, 2014. "A Review of Renewable Energy Supply and Energy Efficiency Technologies," IZA Discussion Papers 8145, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    19. Hammar, Linus & Ehnberg, Jimmy & Mavume, Alberto & Francisco, Francisco & Molander, Sverker, 2012. "Simplified site-screening method for micro tidal current turbines applied in Mozambique," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 414-422.
    20. Vimpari, Jussi & Junnila, Seppo, 2017. "Evaluating decentralized energy investments: Spatial value of on-site PV electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1217-1222.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:136:y:2014:i:c:p:336-346. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.