Off-Grid Photovoltaics (PA Technology)

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Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-12-15. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

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Name of technology example:		Type
Off-Grid Photovoltaics		☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Renewable Energy ☑ Alternative Methodology

Description	A stand-alone, or off-grid system is not connected to the electrical grid. Standalone systems vary widely in size and application from wristwatches or calculators to remote buildings or spacecraft. If the load is to be supplied independently of solar insolation, the generated power is stored and buffered with a battery. In non-portable applications where weight is not an issue, such as in buildings, lead acid batteries are most commonly used for their low cost and tolerance for abuse. A charge controller may be incorporated in the system to: a) avoid battery damage by excessive charging or discharging and, b) optimizing the production of the cells or modules by maximum power point tracking (MPPT). However, in simple PV systems where the PV module voltage is matched to the battery voltage, the use of MPPT electronics is generally considered unnecessary, since the battery voltage is stable enough to provide near-maximum power collection from the PV module. In small devices (e.g. calculators, parking meters) only direct current (DC) is consumed. In larger systems (e.g. buildings, remote water pumps) AC is usually required. To convert the DC from the modules or batteries into AC, an inverter is used. In agricultural settings, the array may be used to directly power DC pumps, without the need for an inverter. In remote settings such as mountainous areas, islands, or other places where a power grid is unavailable, solar arrays can be used as the sole source of electricity, usually by charging a storage battery. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_system#Standalone_system
Technology for the Application of	☑ Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel ☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal ☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency ☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps	☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☑ Processing ☐ Transportation ☐ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature ☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation ☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities	☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☑ Sorting ☐ Seedbed Preparation ☑ Milling ☐ Tearing ☑ Planting ☑ Washing ☑ Mixing ☑ Pumping ☑ Heating ☐ Drying ☑ Irrigation ☑ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding ☑ Fertilizing ☑ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare ☑ Pest Management ☑ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding ☑ Cutting ☑ Sanitation ☑ Other: All value chain activities with electrical power demand
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups	☑ Cereals ☐ Fruits and vegetables ☐ Nuts and berries ☑ Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products ☑ Oil Seeds ☑ Roots and Tubers ☑ Eggs ☑ Pulses ☑ Fiber Crops ☑ Forestry ☑ Sugars ☑ Stimulants ☑ Spices ☑ Other: All commodity groups with electrical power demand
Region & Country of Development	N/A ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☑ N/A: Region of development cannot be named
Region & Country of Current Deployment	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Potential Deployment	None ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers	Many manufacturers in many countries; You find a market overview for Germany at this website: http://www.carmen-ev.de/sonne-wind-co/937-marktuebersicht-batteriespeichersysteme-erweitert
Economics	Due to increasing fuel prices, PV is becoming more and more the choice to provide electricity. Also full supply stand-alone devices become economic in comparison to fuel powered electricity.
Technology Development Level	High;
Required Maintenance Technical Level	Low;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment
Required Resources during manufacture	Complex Technology, must be delivered in total from large facilities.
Required Resources during operation	Replacement of batteries;
Deployment Level
Deployment Capability and Potential	Very high;
Requirements for Deployment	None - besides education of local people for installation and maintenance of batteries/charges;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security	Very high;
Environment Impacts (emissions)
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules	Yes;
Additional information / Comments	No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links	http://practicalaction.org/small-scale-offgrid-solar-pv-installation-manual http://practicalaction.org/solar-photovoltaic-energy http://www.fao.org/sd/egdirect/egre0057.htm

"Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology" is not in the list (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology) of allowed values for the "PAT Type" property.