CHAPTER 7 SOLAR POWER GENERATION PLANNING Chapter 7 Solar Power Generation Planning The electrification method based on the extension of distribution lines is known as on-grid electrification, while the method that utilizes photovoltaic solar power is known as off-grid electrification. In this chapter, results of the survey on the status of electrification by photovoltaic solar power in Malawi and the state of implementation of photovoltaic power projects funded by foreign countries are discussed. 7.1 The state of Solar Power in Malawi At present photovoltaic energy systems are used in Malawi in many rural sites far from the distribution line. PV residential systems are mostly owned by tobacco farmers, and PV systems for public facilities can be found at many hospitals, post offices, telephone exchange offices, etc. Photovoltaic energy in Malawi has enough potential for development with regard to environmental issues and also reflects a satisfactory degree of established technology. If the problem of the expense of photovoltaic could be solved, it is expected that this technology would spread throughout Malawi and contribute to overall electrification. Some specific knowledge is required to maintain PV systems although not as much as other systems. Furthermore, PV systems can generate electricity whenever solar irradiation is available. Most PV systems in Malawi are Solar Home Systems (SHS) as stand-alone type, being installed in areas far from the grid and where electricity generation by other methods (for example mini hydro) is not possible. There are also systems that are only installed temporarily until other electrification methods become available. The main components of a SHS are the Solar Panel, Battery and Battery Charge Controller (Fig. 7-1). The capacity of the most popular system is 50W (the actual equipment used in Malawi is depicted in the photograph). Fig. 7-1 SHS system equipment (Left) Solar Panel (KYOCERA) (Middle) Battery Charge Controller (KYOCERA) (Right) Battery (WILLARD) 7 - 1 (1) Solar Irradiation Data Solar irradiation data was made available by DANIDA and PV companies in Malawi. According to the collected data, monthly solar irradiation was identified at between 5.0 and 6.9kWh/m2/day (refer to Fig. 7-1-1), with the average of each geographical region being between 5.0 and 6.2kWh/m2/day (refer to Fig. 7-1-2). The annual average of the solar irradiation was identified as 5.8kWh/m2/day. Fig. 7-1-1 monthly solar irradiation 8.0 6.9 7.0 6.5 6.6 5.7 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.8 6.0 5.5 5.3 5.0 5.1 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 Capacity(kWh/m2/day) 1.0 0.0 G V C ge) JAN FEB AR JUN JUL SEP M APR MAY AU OCT NO DE vera Month (A Fig. 7-1-2 each geographical region’s solar irradiation data 8.0 ) 7.0 y 6.0 6.2 6.0 6.2 6.0 5.6 5.7 5.8 6.0 5.0 /m2/da 5.0 h W 4.0 k 3.0 ity( c 2.0 pa Ca 1.0 0.0 E A e) S LO O MA ag LI NGA MBA er TEDZ M MI SA THYO MZI (Av BVUMBWECHI KARO MAKHANGA Place 7 - 2 Solar irradiation data used by DANIDA is as shown in Table 7-1-1 Solar irradiation Table 7-1-1. The solar irradiation figures used by PV data used by DANIDA companies are larger than that used by DANIDA. It can be AREA Capacity concluded from this data that it is possible to rely on high solar 3 irradiation levels everywhere in Malawi (by comparison, the North 5.2kWh/m 3 2 Central 5.1kWh/m solar irradiation annual average for Japan is 3.8kWh/m /day). South 5.0kWh/m3 (2) Existing PV Systems Systems installed in the areas where field surveys were carried out in Malawi were Solar Home System (SHS). Almost all equipment (solar panel, battery, charge controller, etc.) was imported from Europe, America and South Africa, with the majority coming from the USA, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. The typical capacity of these Solar Home Systems was between 30W and 100W, the main purpose being for domestic use such as lighting and radio, and TV in some cases. With regard to systems for public facilities, most applications were for lighting, wireless communication and refrigerators. 7.2 Field Surveys and evaluation of existing PV systems In the field survey in Malawi, several rural areas (North, Central and South) were visited in order to inspect and evaluate existent photovoltaic systems (Fig. 7-2-1). Health Centres were examined since it became apparent that many of these public facilities were equipped with PV systems. Surveys were also conducted to inspect several houses that had installed private PV systems. In some cases it was difficult to find the solar panel for these houses because they were very large so that the solar panel couldn’t be seen from the outside. Fig. 7-2-1 Field surveys North Area (Mbalachanda in Mzimba District) The PV system at the Health Centre was found to be in good condition. The capacity of the solar panel was about 40W. Health Center staff indicated that the PV system failed once because the battery was overloaded, but subsequent to this, there were no more problems. The main purpose was electric lighting and wireless communication for the Health Centre, and lighting, radio and TV Fig. 7-2-2 Stuff House (Fig. 7-2-3) for Stuff House (Fig. 7-2-2). 7 - 3 Fig. 7-2-3 (Left) Wireless Communication in Health Centre (Middle, Right) Radio, TV, and Electric bulb in Stuff House Central Area (Chatoloma in Kasungu District, Mkaika in Nkhotakota District) 1. Chatoloma A PV system for wireless communication was installed in 1998 at the Health Centre. This system proved to have a limited capacity and was unable to handle the load. This was because the communication system was required to function all day. Maintenance must be done once per month. The maintenance is limited to measure the electrolyte density and to add water to the battery. This maintenance is being conducted once a month. 2. Mkaika A house that had installed private PV systems was identified and inspected. The system was installed on October 2001 to provide lighting (9W x 12 pieces, Fig. 7-2-4), TV and radio. The price was MK84, 000 (without insurance). There have been no failures since installation. However since the battery is the major risk component for breakdowns, one more battery was added to boost storage Fig. 7-2-4 (Top) Electric Bulb capacity. (Fig. 7-2-4) (Under) Battery South Area (Khombedza in Salima District) The system installed at the Health Centre is primarily used for refrigeration and lighting. The survey indicated that electricity consumption from the refrigerator was very large, being supplied by a total PV capacity of about 420W (Fig. 7-2-5). An existent SHS owned by a staff member of the Health Centre was surveyed as well. This system has a capacity of about 50W and is used to power a light (9W), radio (3.6W) and TV (14W), and was implemented by the Ministry of Health. Technicians from the company that installed the system are responsible for maintenance. 7 - 4 Fig. 7-2-5 (Left) Refrigerator, (Middle) Battery, (Right) Solar Panel 7.3 Design and Specification of PV systems in Malawi PV companies were visited in order to obtain information about their business activities, details of SHS equipment, methods of installation and construction costs. The battery shop was also inspected. Pertinent information from two companies and a battery shop is summarized as follows. Fig. 7-3-1 shows the house belonging to the PV Company and inside of it. Fig. 7-3-1 (Right)PV Company (Middle, Left) inside the company Battery shop in Blantyre In this battery shop, there is a variety of equipment and accessories, including for example water for batteries and hydrometers. The owner indicated that some people purchase the tools and maintain batteries by themselves. Fig. 7-3-2 (Left) Battery (Right) Battery’s tools and parts 7 - 5 International Power Control System (IPCS) in Blantyre This company was established in 1996 (trading under a different name from 1998). The company specializes in SHS, their main business area being Namwera (Mangochi), Blantyre, Mchinji, Mponela (Dowa) and Lilongwe. The company staff is comprised of 20 members (with some workers having attained the Photovoltaic Technician qualification implemented by DOE). The majority of clients are wealthy tobacco farmers, but businessmen, fishers and teachers also purchase systems. Solar irradiation data used by DANIDA The main uses of SHS are for lighting, radio and TV, the capacity being between 40W and 70W. The most popular type is the 50W system priced at US$950. This company sells SHS and provides installation and maintenance services. Equipment warranty is included Table 7-3-1 The company in the price of SHS (the term of insurance being one year). name of SHS equipment Equipment sold by IPCS is imported from Germany, USA, Material COMPANY South Africa and the United Kingdom. Detail of SHS Solar Panel KYOCERA Charge Controller SOLARTEK equipment is as per in Table 7-3-1. Most SHS are used for Battery WILLARD three hours per day, from 18 to 21 hrs. Briethel Solar Company in Zomba Briethel Solar Company was established in 1995. This company specializes in solar power equipment, including SHS. The main business area encompasses Zomba, Kasungu, Dowa, Ntchisi, Nkhotakota and Salima.