TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION :
By Cells Types : The present supremacy of singe crystalline silicon based solar cell technology in Indian context is beyond any doubt. For various technical, economical and commercial reasons, it appears that the single crystalline silicon based solar technology is going to remain dominant in India for quite some years to come. The multicrystalline technology may be able to act as a stong supplement to single crystalline technology.
The promising area of amorphous silicon solar cell is still to solve many scientific and technical problems associated with its use. For all other technologies, not much work has been done in India upto now even though they hold lot of potential.
By applications : The major applications for PV systems in rural areas can be categories into :
1. Pumping - irrigation and drinking water supply
2. Lighting - Street lighting and domestic lighting etc.
3. Agricultural
4. Small scale industries
5. Health - refrigeration and health centers
6 Telecommunication
7. Consumer applications
8. Central power supply
9. Other miscellaneous
the viability of PV system in comparison to other sources of power (both conventional and non conventional) on various technical, economical, social and institutional is described in detail in the report. Broad conclusion are summarized in the table.
TECHNO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION PV SYSTEMS –RURAL APPLICATIONS
| Rural Application |
Available Technology Alternatives |
Viability Criteria for PV systems |
Market Readiness for PV |
| Remote Telecomm-unication | PV, DIESEL ELECTRICAL |
PV systems cost effective for loads upto 2.5 KWh/day for most location. PV/diesel hybrid may be effective upto 10 KW/h day. |
First choice in more circumstances |
| Refrigeration | PV KEROSENE |
The overall cost per dose is cheaper for the PV refrigerator even when the initial capital cost is 3 to 4 times higher. Also it is highly reliable compare to kerosense. | First choice in circumstances. |
| Drinking Water | HAND PUMP DISEL PV ANIMAL |
PV systems are economical in remote areas a) 15 meter water table with population of 1000 or to break |
First choice in many circumstances. Close to break through in large markets. |
| Small lighting-Lanterns | PV KEROSENE | Based on life cycle cost per kilo lumen hr. the solar lantern can be 30% more economical than kerosene lamp at the current price. | First choice in many circumstances |
| Stand alone Domestic power | PV DG SET |
Economically viable on long terms cost benefit analysis in areas which are difficult and inaccessible for diesel supply. | First choice in many circumstances. |
| Irrigation Pumping | DIESEL, ELECTRICAL, BIO GAS/DUEL FUEL, PV, WIND, SOLAR THERMAL | PV pump is competitive with diesel in remote areas where the volume head trouble is less than 1000m4. Quite suitable for trickle irrigation or low water crops like fruits etc. |
First choice only in some circumstances Break through shall need few years development |
| Centrlalised Village Electric Supply | GRID PV |
Generally too expensive for large scale implementation cost now to come down by 50% to below acceptable. PV is economical for loads upto 3 KW at a distance of 6 to 20 kms from substation. For larger loads (10 kw). PV is economical at a distance of 60 kms. | First choice in some circumstances |
