To lift millions of people out of poverty and to avoid migration to cities, the development of rural economies is of key importance, and access to energy is a critical component in this regard.
The time is right for testing out new models and new partnerships in order to provide clean and reliable energy for rural areas. Solar energy is on its way to becoming the most cost-efficient option for rural electrification on a life cycle basis, beating the conventional energy options, such as diesel- based power systems and the extension of the grid. Nonetheless, high upfront capital investments coupled with the complexities of working in rural markets are the major challenges for a large-scale commercial roll-out.
Scatec Solar has developed and funded two pilot projects in Gopalpura and Rampura, in the Jhansi district in India, with a view to showcase the new opportunities posed by solar energy and to gain first-hand experience about design, construction and operation of stand-alone solar plants in the village. Another important aspect is to understand necessary local involvement and willingness to pay for the electricity. The long- term aim is to use the pilot project to build a working model, which will enable a large-scale roll-out across India and other similar regions of the world.
"Access to electricity has many health and educational benefits, in addition to giving opportunities for new income generating activities,” says Ravi Khanna, CEO and President of Scatec Solar. “If you consider the power plant's lifespan,” he continues “solar energy is already today competitive with other sources of energy, such as diesel. As prices continue to drop in the solar industry, decentralised solar power plants will become even more competitive. The notion that electrification has to be done through grid extension is old fashioned - just consider the telecommunication sector, where extending landlines have become obsolete with the arrival of mobile phones, now present in all rural communities in India".
The methodology used in the project is based on a “bottom-up-approach”. Scatec Solar is working closely with the NGO, Development Alternatives (DA), who has acted as a door opener into the villages. DA is responsible for the mobilization of villagers and analysing the needs of the community. DA takes care of the daily contact with the local community and for encouraging villagers to utilize the electricity to take up new income generating activities. This local partnership is an integral element of the project.
The size of the Gopalpura and Rampura Community Solar Power Plants is 9 kWp and 8,7 kWp, respectively. The plants are built with two different distribution models: in Rampura, the power is distributed through a local mini-grid, whereas in Gopalpura, power is made available at a charging station where villagers can come and charge their electrical appliances. The power will in the first stage be used for lighting, fans and entertainment/educational purposes (TV, radio, PC etc). The plants are however sized so that the villagers may also utilize the electricity to improve existing, or establish new, income generating activities (flour mill, water pumping and distribution, sewing machines, cash crop drying etc).
The villagers are required to pay for the electricity. The revenues generated will cover operations and maintenance costs, as well as the replacement of batteries and other components. The electricity tariffs are based on what villagers currently pay for different sources of energy, such as kerosene and diesel.
Scatec Solar has been working in the close cooperation with its project execution partners, namely, DD Solar 23 India Pvt. Ltd. and Titan. DD Solar 23 India Pvt. Ltd. will be present in the village at least for a year to closely monitor and analyze the load pattern of village and collect valuable performance data.
About Scatec Solar
Scatec Solar is a global turn-key supplier of solar PV solutions, with headquarters in Oslo, Norway. In addition to having developed more than 20MW of grid-connected solar parks in Europe, Scatec Solar is engaging in rural electrification in the emerging world market.
Project by Scatec Solar in rural India
For further reference:
Scatec Solar: www.scatecsolar.com
Dd Solar23: www.bergengroupindia.com
Titan: www.titansolar.com
Development Alternatives: www.devalt.org