Study on Isolated Solar Home Systems for Application in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The rationale behind this paper is to study isolated solar home systems that can be used in alleviating electrical power challenges being faced in Zimbabwe. In addition, solar home systems can be included into the national energy development plan. At the present moment, Zimbabwe‘s electricity generation is mainly through hydro electric and thermal power stations generating to a national power capacity of 1400MW against a national demand of 2400MW. Most rural areas and some homes built in new suburbs in the cities have no access to electricity. The regions that are connected to the grid are affected by load shedding frequently. In trying to alleviate these problems some individuals and enterprises who can afford have resorted to using fuelled generators and uninterruptible power supplies to work as standby. A few individuals have also started embarking on using solar PV systems as stand by or prime power. Zimbabwe being located in the Savannah Region has a climate which is suitable for solar PV system with an average solar irradiation of 5.7 kWh/m2/day. According to Zimbabwe Power Company, the solar PV potential in Zimbabwe is about 300MW and can help in filling the gap of the national deficit if exploited fully. This paper therefore seeks to create a “guideline for the introduction of isolated solar PV systems for rural public facilities in Zimbabwe”.This guideline can be applied at schools, clinics, police stations as well as for educational purposes.