Main Applications
The load for small PV systems is usually focused to serve household (lighting, TV/radio, small home appliances) and social needs (health and community centers, schools, water extraction and supply), bringing quality of life improvements and enabling also small productive uses. For larger systems, power supply can also be extended to working hours and minor productive loads such as ventilators, cool storage and refrigerators, hand machine tools, etc.
The most common PV systems for rural areas are Solar Home Systems and Water pumping systems.
Source: www.isofoton.com
Source: www.isofoton.com
Solar home systems (SHS)
- Copyright RWE Schott Solar
(click to enlarge)
A SHS includes one or more PV modules, a battery (to store energy for the future), a charge controller, wiring and outlets for other direct current (DC) appliances. If alternating current (AC) output is needed, an inverter is required to convert the DC power from the module/array. The size of the system is between 10 to 100 wp.
A SHS of 50 Wp and a daily average yield of 180 Wh suits the electricity needs of a typical rural household by feeding direct current for two fluorescent tubes, a radio caset recorder and a small B&W television or electric fan.
PV Water Pump Systems
- Copyright Shell Solar B.V.
(click to enlarge)
The components of these systems include a PV array of modules, its support structure, the system controller and the pump/motor set. There are also included the water storage and water distribution system. The function of the controller is to optimize the production of water by adjusting the voltage supplied to the pump motor. These systems can deliver up to 50 m3 at 100 m head. PV systems are specifically suited for water pumping because sunshine in arid areas is often abundant and storage of pumped water avoids high losses of batteries.
The photovoltaic technology is also applied to solar lanterns, water treatment/purification systems, communication systems, cooling systems, hybrid systems etc…