International market assessment of stand-alone photovoltaic power systems for cottage-industry applications

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5249481· OSTI ID:5249481

Philippi, T M

The study focused on nonindustrialized countries with non-centrally planned economies. Cottage industries were defined as small rural manufacturers, employing less than 50 people, producing consumer and simple products. The data to support this analysis were obtained from secondary and expert sources in the US and in-country field investigations of the Philippines and Mexico. Results of the study are that the near-term market for photovoltaics for rural cottage industry applications appears to be limited to demonstration projects and pilot programs. This conclusion is based on an in-depth study of the nature of cottage industry, its role in the rural economy, the electric energy requirements of cottage industry, and a financial analysis of stand-alone photovoltaic systems as compared to ther most viable competitor - diesel driven generators. The study shows that photovoltaics are a better long-term option only for very low power requirements. Some of these uses would include clay mixers, grinders, centrifuges, lathes, power saws and lighting of a workshop.

• Research Organization: IIT Research Inst., Chicago, IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-76ET20485
• OSTI ID: 5249481
• Report Number(s): DOE/NASA/0197-1; NASA-CR-165287; ON: DE82007597
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
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AFRICA
ANDES
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
ASIA
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
BRAZIL
CARIBBEAN SEA
CENTRAL AMERICA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DIESEL ENGINES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMICS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EMPLOYMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
INDUSTRY
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
ISLANDS
LABOR
LATIN AMERICA
MARKET
MEXICO
MOROCCO
MOUNTAINS
NORTH AMERICA
PHILIPPINES
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER DEMAND
POWER SUPPLIES
RURAL AREAS
SEAS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOUTH AMERICA
SURFACE WATERS