IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v32y2007i5p796-813.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

With time comes increased loads—An analysis of solar home system use in Lundazi, Zambia

Author

Listed:
  • Gustavsson, Mathias

Abstract

Solar energy can bring a number of electric services to the user but also puts up a number of limitations in terms of usage. The design of the system will affect the output from the system as well as the technical life. This article is based on a case-study of a photovoltaic-Energy Service Company (PV–ESCO) project company in Lundazi, Zambia. The solar technology has enabled clients to improve light quality in their houses or shops, which is the most valued benefit according to clients. Clients to the ESCO have acquired a number of electric appliances since they received the service. Radio cassette players are commonly found in households both with and without solar services, while TV sets has been acquired first after they have received this service. To the clients the solar services have resulted in an improvement of the living standards. Energy use and charge was logged during a six-month period. Average usage range from 10 to 14Ah/day. The load is concentrated to mornings and evenings, but the possibility to access energy services, such as light during the night, is appreciated by the clients. The average energy output from the solar module is 14.5Ah/day. Increased panel effect, change of the cutting points of the regulator and improve the users knowledge on proper operation of the system are options to tackle the situation of increased loads put on the system.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:32:y:2007:i:5:p:796-813
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2006.03.015
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148106000875
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2006.03.015?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. Reinders, A. H. M. E. & Pramusito & Sudradjat, A. & van Dijk, V. A. P. & Mulyadi, R. & Turkenburg, W. C., 1999. "Sukatani revisited: on the performance of nine-year-old solar home systems and street lighting systems in Indonesia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 1-47, March.
    2. Dube, Ikhupuleng, 2001. "PV for rural areas—the power utility (ZESA) Zimbabwe's experience," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 517-520.
    3. Cabraal, A. & Cosgrove-Davies, M. & Schaeffer, L., 1996. "Best Practices for Photovoltaic Household Electrification Programs: Lessons from Experiences in Selected Countries," Papers 324, World Bank - Technical Papers.
    4. Biot, Y. & Blaikie, P.M. & Jackson, C. & Palmer-Jones, R., 1995. "Rethinking Research on Land Degradation in Developing Countries," World Bank - Discussion Papers 289, World Bank.
    5. Gustavsson, Mathias & Ellegård, Anders, 2004. "The impact of solar home systems on rural livelihoods. Experiences from the Nyimba Energy Service Company in Zambia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7), pages 1059-1072.
    6. van der Plas, Robert J & Hankins, Mark, 1998. "Solar electricity in Africa: a reality," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 295-305, March.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    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. Nishant Narayan & Victor Vega-Garita & Zian Qin & Jelena Popovic-Gerber & Pavol Bauer & Miro Zeman, 2020. "The Long Road to Universal Electrification: A Critical Look at Present Pathways and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Vivien Kizilcec & Catalina Spataru & Aldo Lipani & Priti Parikh, 2022. "Forecasting Solar Home System Customers’ Electricity Usage with a 3D Convolutional Neural Network to Improve Energy Access," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, January.
    5. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M., 2009. "Feasibility of pico-hydro and photovoltaic hybrid power systems for remote villages in Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1445-1450.
    6. Nishant Narayan & Ali Chamseddine & Victor Vega-Garita & Zian Qin & Jelena Popovic-Gerber & Pavol Bauer & Miroslav Zeman, 2019. "Quantifying the Benefits of a Solar Home System-Based DC Microgrid for Rural Electrification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Xavier Lemaire, 2018. "Solar home systems and solar lanterns in rural areas of the Global South: What impact?," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(5), September.
    8. 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.
    9. Elizabeth Baldwin & Jennifer N. Brass & Sanya Carley & Lauren M. MacLean, 2015. "Electrification and rural development: issues of scale in distributed generation," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(2), pages 196-211, March.
    10. 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.
    11. Musango, Josephine K. & Brent, Alan C., 2011. "Assessing the sustainability of energy technological systems in Southern Africa: A review and way forward," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 145-155.
    12. Nfah, E.M. & Ngundam, J.M., 2012. "Identification of stakeholders for sustainable renewable energy applications in Cameroon," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4661-4666.
    13. Mbaka, Nfah Eustace & Mucho, Ngundam John & Godpromesse, Kenne, 2010. "Economic evaluation of small-scale photovoltaic hybrid systems for mini-grid applications in far north Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 2391-2398.
    14. Rostami, Raheleh & Khoshnava, Seyed Meysam & Lamit, Hasanuddin & Streimikiene, Dalia & Mardani, Abbas, 2017. "An overview of Afghanistan's trends toward renewable and sustainable energies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1440-1464.
    15. 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.

    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. Phuangpornpitak, N. & Kumar, S., 2011. "User acceptance of diesel/PV hybrid system in an island community," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 125-131.
    3. Trotter, Philipp A. & McManus, Marcelle C. & Maconachie, Roy, 2017. "Electricity planning and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1189-1209.
    4. Gustavsson, Mathias, 2007. "Educational benefits from solar technology--Access to solar electric services and changes in children's study routines, experiences from eastern province Zambia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 1292-1299, February.
    5. Jacobson, Arne, 2007. "Connective Power: Solar Electrification and Social Change in Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 144-162, January.
    6. Baurzhan, Saule & Jenkins, Glenn P., 2016. "Off-grid solar PV: Is it an affordable or appropriate solution for rural electrification in Sub-Saharan African countries?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1405-1418.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. Green, Donna, 2004. "Thailand's solar white elephants: an analysis of 15 yr of solar battery charging programmes in northern Thailand," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 747-760, April.
    10. Muhumuza, Ronald & Zacharopoulos, Aggelos & Mondol, Jayanta Deb & Smyth, Mervyn & Pugsley, Adrian, 2018. "Energy consumption levels and technical approaches for supporting development of alternative energy technologies for rural sectors of developing countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 90-102.
    11. Brunet, Carole & Savadogo, Oumarou & Baptiste, Pierre & Bouchard, Michel A., 2018. "Shedding some light on photovoltaic solar energy in Africa – A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 325-342.
    12. Bond, M. & Aye, Lu & Fuller, R.J., 2010. "Solar lanterns or solar home lighting systems – Community preferences in East Timor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 1076-1082.
    13. Pillot, Benjamin & Muselli, Marc & Poggi, Philippe & Dias, João Batista, 2019. "Historical trends in global energy policy and renewable power system issues in Sub-Saharan Africa: The case of solar PV," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 113-124.
    14. 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.
    15. Gustavsson, Mathias & Ellegård, Anders, 2004. "The impact of solar home systems on rural livelihoods. Experiences from the Nyimba Energy Service Company in Zambia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7), pages 1059-1072.
    16. Elizabeth Baldwin & Jennifer N. Brass & Sanya Carley & Lauren M. MacLean, 2015. "Electrification and rural development: issues of scale in distributed generation," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(2), pages 196-211, March.
    17. Balint, Peter J., 2006. "Bringing solar home systems to rural El Salvador: lessons for small NGOs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 721-729, April.
    18. Martinot, E. & Cabraal, A. & Mathur, S., 2001. "World Bank/GEF solar home system projects: experiences and lessons learned 1993-2000," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 39-57, March.
    19. 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.
    20. 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.

    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:renene:v:32:y:2007:i:5:p:796-813. 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.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    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.