Generating solar electricity by solar concentrators for web-based learning in rural areas in Tanzania: Issues of practice and impacts

Abstract

Students in primary and secondary schools in rural areas in Tanzania are academically isolated and it is very difficult for them to get very good learning materials and to have quality teachers. Web-based learning, which employs electronic media, can be of very important use. However, web-based learning remains of little significance to rural areas in Tanzania due to lack of affordable electricity. Due to high cost of the solar panels, the use of concentrating systems has been proposed as a way to reduce the cost of solar electricity generation in rural areas in Tanzania. This paper, therefore, systematically draws attention to the importance of generation of solar electricity by using solar concentrators. Specifically, the paper links the generation of solar electricity by solar concentrators to the widespread of web-based learning in rural areas in Tanzania. The paper also examines the roles of web-based learning in stimulating interest and deep understanding of subjects for rural students in Tanzania. The paper also presents a cost breakdown of fabricating a small V-trough concentrator for rural applications. The paper concludes by suggesting how solar concentrators for solar electricity generation can be developed and implemented in Tanzania as well as discussing the practical impacts of solar electricity on various sectors in rural areas.