Pre-feasibility methodology to compare productive uses of energy supplied by stand-alone solar photovoltaic systems: A Tanzanian case study

Abstract

This paper provides a standardised methodology to assess the suitability of using stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for different productive uses of energy (PUE) at a country-wide level. The focus has been on the country of Tanzania, but the methodology is suitable for any location. This analysis has reviewed fourteen different PUE categories, with several sub-categories. The PUE were assessed for a wide range of factors, including cost of the system, potential income from the PUE, and potential market size. This report also highlights the PUE load profiles and energy requirements for comparison.Assessing a potential productive use is a complex process with multiple stakeholders and decision factors. The analysis here is not meant as a definitive answer, but to highlight the technical characteristics and economics of the potential productive uses for comparison. This methodology is a first pass method to assess the suitability of stand-alone PV systems for PUE applications at a country-wide level. For more detailed analysis of the PUE potential, the enabling environment, socio-cultural context and supporting services must be investigated in much greater detail. The quantitative methodology given here used computer-based simulation tools, including data processing (Excel & Python), geographical information systems (QGIS) and power system simulation (HOMER Pro). Input data from multiple sources, including in-country fieldwork, was used. This analysis has highlighted PUE with smaller energy requirements but low sensitivity to equipment or service cost to be the most suitable for more detailed analysis.Applying this methodology to Tanzania has shown stand-alone solar PV systems for barbershops, tailors, mobile carpenters, drip-feed irrigation systems and fishing lights as the lowest risk PUE for implementation.