Productive Use of Solar PV

Application of Solar PV for Productive Use

Precise information about the installed capacity, or the number of renewable energy systems, used for productive uses in rural areas of less industrialized nations is not readily available; furthermore, published data regarding these figures are scarce. This lack of precise information is particularly notorious in relation to off-farm productive activities (e.g. cottage activities and commercial services). Most of the existing information is anecdotal in nature and provides only a glimpse of the current and potential renewable energy applications (ETCHEVERRY 2003).

An FAO study from 2000 (VAN CAMPEN et al) provides a good qualitative overview on potential productive uses and system set-ups of PV in different countries. Even though pointing out that electric lighting is by far the most common application of PV systems, the study provides a large amount of other income-generating applications in the areas of agriculture, cottage industries, and commercial businesses.

Agricultural Applications

In the area of agriculture solar PV is found to be useful for applications such as water pumping for irrigation and cattle drinking, aeration for aquacultures, refrigeration of agricultural products, electric fencing, poultry lighting, and pest control. The main impacts of solar electricity on agricultural activities are described as increased productivity (including higher yields, lower losses and faster production) and improved natural resource management (VAN CAMPEN et al 2000).

The relevance of small PV systems for agricultural production is, however, limited to the provision of power for activities that require little power input. PV systems are not an option for energy intensive activities such as in rice mills and other agricultural processing (VAN CAMPEN et al 2000).

GTZ Experience

Bangladesh

Productive Uses of Photovoltaic Technology in Rural Bangladesh - Potentials, Barriers, Recommendations (author: Michael Blunck)

Kenya

Study on productive use of solar PV in Kenya (author: ESD Africa)

Senegal

We currently (Feb 2010) plan on implementing productive uses in at least three different value chains in 2010 through the rural electrification agency. More detailed information will follow. Please contact gunnar.wegner@gtz.de if you have questions.

Uganda

GTZ-PREEEP is currently developing a finance product for small-scale irrigation using solar PV pumping in cooperation with the GTZ Financial Sector Development Programme and local MFIs. Contact: Lucius.Mayer-Tasch@gtz.de.