Solar energy: Lessons from the pacific island experience. World Bank Technical Paper 244
Presents lessons learned from the success of the World Bank and other international organizations in using and maintaining solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the Pacific islands. This report on the experiences of several Pacific island nations indicates that in remote villages, solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies are supplying reliable power at costs lower than those of the more commonly used diesel systems. Although the supply of electricity to households is limited, PV does provide isolated peoples with access to light and to information through television and VCRs. The study shows that the success of these programs depends not only on the technology itself but on personnel training, good fee collection systems, and careful financial management. Where managerial and technical expertise was lacking, maintenance by local, cooperatively owned utilites proved to be the best option. The authors present a case study from Tuvalu, where the solar PV system exemplifies the program`s effectiveness in serving remote areas. The successful Tuvalu Solar Electric Cooperative Society (TSECS), formed in 1984, has been maintained by a well-trained technical staff with local and visiting technicians. It has also benefited from fee collection through an outside agency that prevents diversion of funds to other projects, local user committees to communicate with the utility, and an exclusive focus on PV systems. Environmentally attractive at both the global and local levels, PV solar technology appears highly promising for small-scale applications in developing countries.
- Research Organization:
- World Bank Group, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 557595
- Report Number(s):
- WB--0242/XAB; ISBN 0-8213-2802-6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
COMMUNICATIONS
COOPERATIVES
COST ESTIMATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ELECTRIC POWER
EVALUATION
FINANCIAL DATA
GLOBAL ANALYSIS
MAINTENANCE
MANAGEMENT
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
RELIABILITY
REMOTE AREAS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RURAL AREAS
SOLAR ENERGY
TUVALU
USES