Utility grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants for meeting energy needs for rural area in developing countries—A case of India

Abstract

Abstract Two grid-interactive PV power plants (each 100 kW capacity) are being established in two villages of Uttar Pradesh (India) to meet the vitally needed electrical energy demand of each village and to find additional power to a nearby utility grid. The suitability of such grid connected solar PV power plants are being studied for meeting all the electrical energy need of the unelectrified villages and for the potential of feeding the additional power available from such photovoltaic power plant to a nearby utility grid. At present, the cost of such power plants is very high, around $14.00 per Watt. Such power plants would be very suitable for meeting all the electrical energy needs of rural areas in developing countries when the cost of the PV module and balance of the component will be reduced as a result of development efforts and extension activities going on in the World and in India.