Management of sustainable photovoltaic solar energy in the semi-arid region of State of Pernambuco

Boiling Point
Issue 45 (2000) Low-cost electrification for household energy
Article	Management of sustainable photovoltaic solar energy in the semi-arid region of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil
Author	Heitor S. Costa, Myriam Eck

Gestion de l’énergie solaire photovoltaique (PV) dans une région semi aride de l’etat du Pernambouque au Brésil

Ce projet situé dans le milieu rural du Nord-Est du Brésil a identifié les éléments suivants à prendre en considération. En ce qui concerne l’offre une centrale pour la fourniture de services, la promotion du solaire PV, des compagnies pour la distribution, des progammes de formation, financement des coûts initiaux, liens entre fourniture d’électricité et développement économique et social. Du côté de la demande : habitudes de consommation des ménages ruraux, projections de la demande, un plan énergétique détaillé pour déterminer les resoources requises et la participation des communautés.

[top] [end]Introduction

In the rural areas of Northeast Brazil, less than 20% of rural properties receive grid electricity (1). The extension of the distribution network to attend this population, estimated at more than 20 million, may not be the best option for satisfying the energy needs of these regions, which are characterized by low population density, difficult access and low electrical energy demand. Renewable energy sources: solar and wind, offer many advantages in rural areas, because they are locally generated, are produced on a small scale, are non-polluting and are environmentally friendly. Among the technologies that make use of renewable sources of energy, solar photovoltaic systems are among the best for offering economical electrical energy.

The use of solar energy, a natural and abundant resource in the this region (2), can influence the socio-economic, commercial and agro-industrial development of rural communities, bringing about the following benefits:

Figure 1: Opportunities for education increase with more time for study

With lighting it is possible to augment the hours of work and study
The opportunities for education increase with access to radio and television
Health conditions improved by: having a cleaner source of lighting, for refrigerating vaccines and medication
Reducing the isolation of the communities, because with electricity the use of radiocommunication systems and telephones is possible,
Electrical energy can stimulate productive activities such as: pumping water for irrigation; crop processing; conservation of harvests; production of arts and crafts etc.

Another relevant aspect of photovoltaic technology is that it integrates well into the economy of the local community, which can operate, maintain and repair the equipment.

[top] [end]Rural electrification in the state of Pernambuco

Pernambuco has an area of 101,023 square kilometres; its rural population (a quarter of the total) is 1,922,216 inhabitants, which consumes about 374 GWh of electricity. Situated in the north-east region of Brazil, the state of Pernambuco (Figure 2) presents four well-defined ecosystems: the coast; the mata – a zone between the coast and barren area, characterized by great fertility and abundant vegetation; the agreste – a semi-arid zone; and the sertão – an arid zone.

The rural sector of Pernambuco is characterized by small villages, supported by small family farms that use little technology, and only a few of which are electrified. A development model for this region must seek the following:

improvement of the quality of life and well-being of the population
strengthening of organization through associations or cooperatives
participation of the whole community (children, adolescents, adults, women) in the productive and social process
creation of a new technological model that allows the community both to own and understand the technology.
To implement a sustainable programme of rural electrification with photovoltaic systems. This strategy would look at both supply and demand (3).

Figure 2: Map showing location of Pernambuco

On the supply side, the strategy should consider:

the necessity for a central supply of goods and services
the promotion and propagation of photovoltaic electrification
the existence of firms for the commercialization and distribution of equipment, systems, replacement components and maintenance services
the existence of training programs
programmes for financing the set-up costs (principally for the purchase of equipment)
the establishment criteria linking electricity supply to programmes of economic and social development at the local and regional levels
evaluation of solar insolation (the amount of sunlight)
identification and socio-economic profile of the non-electrified residences and rural communities

The demand side should consider, for example:

the consumption patterns and amount of energy used by rural households
the demand projections, both at the level of basic needs and at the level of productive needs;
an integral energy plan with the community, to establish the level of energy resources and technologies needed to ensure an adequate supply
the participation and inclusion of members of the community in the various stages of the project.

The strategy should lead a programme that includes the objectives and methods needed to satisfy the energy needs of the rural communities effectively (4) both for subsistence and for economic development. These should be within the technical and social limits of the community.

[top] [end]Participative methodology

The Nucleus for the Support of Renewable Energy Projects (NAPER) has developed, during recent years, a participative methodology for implementing projects for residential solar electrification. The equipment is expected to last for at least the life of the photovoltaic generator; estimated at 20 years (5).

In this process of electrification, the users are expected to understand and service the technology. Since communities do not have technical expertise at the start, they need a technical team that will have an important role in the designing, installation, training and supporting the installations.

The Program of Rural Electrification with Solar Photovoltaic Energy – PERESF, developed and coordinated by NAPER, is a model for other programmes that use solar electricity in rural areas. With the financial support of the Program to Combat Poverty of the State of Pernambuco - PRORURAL, 126 systems for rural domestic use and school electrification in communities of the semi-arid region of Pernambuco have been installed in the last two years.

To ensure the sustainability of these installations, NAPER has assisted local partners in promotion of the following;

Selection of non-electrified communities
Characterization of socio-economic and energy-related factors with the families and the community;
Promotion and propagation of solar photovoltaic energy at municipal level meetings organized for this purpose;
Technical and economic specifications of the project;
Education on photovoltaics for members of the community;
Participative installation of the equipment;
Community management of technical assistance and replacement of parts (creation of community fund);
Support for the project.

The diffusion of photovoltaic technology in the rural environment is a complex task, as verified by NAPER in recent years, involving problem solving for technical, economic, infra-structural and social issues. Various entities and organizations have participated in the different stages of PERESF. Figure 3 shows an organizational diagram of this programme, defining responsibilities.

Figure 3: Participation and responsibilities in rural photovoltaic electrification

Two critical aspects, observed throughout this work, relate to training and technical assistance.

The training of both the users and the community association have allowed the technical, financial and administrative management of the installations (creation of the community fund), to be done by members of the community.
Regular preventive maintenance, and in some cases, corrective maintenance, can and should be done by members of the community, who

technical assistance for the equipment installed in the community in which they live.

[top] [end]Conclusion

Although there are rural electrification programmes dealing with the extension of grid electricity (which ought to be encouraged), they are not always appropriate, even in the long-term. Other options should be considered, such as the utilization of existing renewable energy resources: solar energy, wind energy and biomass energy. These sources of energy offer many advantages; use of local manpower; they are environmentally friendly; they provide economic production of useful energy on a small scale.

Photovoltaic technology is one of the best options for supplying electricity to rural communities, being widely used in various countries. The initial investment makes the purchase of a photovoltaic system for residential use, impossible for the majority of families living in rural areas with low monthly incomes equal to or less than the minimum wage. Adequate financial plans that favour long term repayment (low interest and long term loans) at rates which can be met by rural dwellers can stimulate a greater diffusion of this technology.

Figure 4: Photovoltaic technology is a good option for rural communities

The ability to pay will be similar to the monthly costs of purchasing the energy that can be substituted by photovoltaic electric energy for lighting and communication. Therefore, the monthly repayment should be similar to the costs that will be avoided, for example, for the purchase of kerosene or diesel fuel for illumination, the purchase of batteries and/or recharges for the functioning of radio and television. Two other aspects deserve mention:

For most people, electricity is a new factor in their lives and extensive information and education is needed in the rational use of solar electricity.
If this is not considered, experiences in other countries have demonstrated that incorrect installations, lack of replacement parts, or the omission of simple maintenance operations, can put the residential photovoltaic system out of service within a few months.

[top] [end]References

Boletim Informativo da CELPE, dezembro (1998)
Costa, H. S. and Salviano, C. J. C. (1996). Levantamento preliminar das reservas anuais das energias renováveis: solar e eólica para o Estado de Pernambuco In III Encontro para o Desenvolvimento das Energias Renováveis, SãoPaulo.
Costa, H. S. and Silva, G. F. (1996). Idéias e conceitos para a sustentabilidade de sistemas fotovoltaicos instalados nas zonas rurais. In III Encontro para o Desenvolvimento das Energias Renováveis, SãoPaulo.
Costa, H. S. (1997). Analysis of use consumption of energy in rural areas of the state of Pernambuco (Brazil): Perspectives of photovoltaic electrification. In 14th European Photovoltic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, pp. 943-946, vol. 1, Barcelona.
Costa, H. S., Silva G. F. and Eck, M. (1998). Sustentabilidade de sistemas fotovoltaicos residenciais. A experiência do NAPER no semiárido. In Revista Ciência & Engenharia da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, ano 7, no. 2.

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Management of sustainable photovoltaic solar energy in the semi-arid region of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil by Heitor S. Costa and Myriam Eck (46 KB)

[top] [end]Contents: Boiling Point 45: Low-cost electrification for household energy

Low-cost electrification - the need for access to energy services - Rural energy development - an integrated approach in Nepal - Gaining ground in community micro-hydro power development in Kenya - Tariffs for rural grid electrification - Fuel for lighting - an expensive commodity - Demand side management for rural Nepal - Micro-privatising rural power distribution - mass produced community development in Orissa, India - Electricity for the Urban Poor - Windpower - Small is beautiful - Management of sustainable photovoltaic solar energy in the semi-arid region of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil - Rural electrification in Nepal - Experiences of an integrative social contextual approach - From candles to compact fluorescents - Consumer response to mobile solar water heating in the low-income sector, South Africa - Clay Grate Development in Chibau Khera

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