Off-Grid Power Management
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expensive equipment, substantial maintenance, or even the existence of any
electrical wiring in the home.
In Bangladesh, the Infrastructure Development Company (IDCOL) has
had success with the installation of over 4 million solar home systems (SHS),
which consist of a solar panel, battery, and LED light bulbs with associated
wiring. An outlet to charge mobile phones is often included as well. This
government- owned company has worked with the World Bank and other
development organizations to provide the structure for the program. The
program includes financing so that those who install an SHS are able to
pay for it over a three- year period (Renner, 2017). Quality control has also
been an important part of the program: Suppliers have to provide 20- year
warranties for solar panels. Furthermore, there has been training to prepare those who work in the program to understand the systems and how
to install them and provide services that are needed to make the program
operate efficiently.
9.3 Mini- Grids
There are some geographical areas where a local mini- grid is appropriate
for those who are presently living without electricity. The regular electrical
grid may be prohibitively far away and there may be a growing number of
people who want or need electricity, so a stand- alone mini- grid is clearly
an option. Assuming there are not local resources (e.g. hydroelectric power
options), solar and wind power are usually excellent options for these types
of situations.
On the one hand, there are many benefits of linking the residents of the community together and building a mini- grid electrical system. The mini- grid
can provide electricity reliably and with centralized expertise and quality
control. On the other hand, there is also a need to address all of the policies
and regulations that are needed to have appropriate rates and financing for
a mini- grid. Maintenance and repair must be factored into the rates. There
is also a need to have sufficient battery storage and/ or generator power to
provide for the power needs of the community. The members of the community and those in charge of the mini- grid need to have sufficient education to
address these issues and operate the system successfully. Since there are capital costs of purchasing the solar panels, storage batteries, distribution lines,
and all of the other equipment, financing must be found and included in
the plan. There are resources to help with these considerations. For example,
access to financing may be provided by the World Bank, the government of
the country, or another source (IRENA, 2018). Without taking these considerations into account, though, mini- grids can suffer from instability or even
collapse as a system.
87
87
expensive equipment, substantial maintenance, or even the existence of any
electrical wiring in the home.
In Bangladesh, the Infrastructure Development Company (IDCOL) has
had success with the installation of over 4 million solar home systems (SHS),
which consist of a solar panel, battery, and LED light bulbs with associated
wiring. An outlet to charge mobile phones is often included as well. This
government- owned company has worked with the World Bank and other
development organizations to provide the structure for the program. The
program includes financing so that those who install an SHS are able to
pay for it over a three- year period (Renner, 2017). Quality control has also
been an important part of the program: Suppliers have to provide 20- year
warranties for solar panels. Furthermore, there has been training to prepare those who work in the program to understand the systems and how
to install them and provide services that are needed to make the program
operate efficiently.
9.3 Mini- Grids
There are some geographical areas where a local mini- grid is appropriate
for those who are presently living without electricity. The regular electrical
grid may be prohibitively far away and there may be a growing number of
people who want or need electricity, so a stand- alone mini- grid is clearly
an option. Assuming there are not local resources (e.g. hydroelectric power
options), solar and wind power are usually excellent options for these types
of situations.
On the one hand, there are many benefits of linking the residents of the community together and building a mini- grid electrical system. The mini- grid
can provide electricity reliably and with centralized expertise and quality
control. On the other hand, there is also a need to address all of the policies
and regulations that are needed to have appropriate rates and financing for
a mini- grid. Maintenance and repair must be factored into the rates. There
is also a need to have sufficient battery storage and/ or generator power to
provide for the power needs of the community. The members of the community and those in charge of the mini- grid need to have sufficient education to
address these issues and operate the system successfully. Since there are capital costs of purchasing the solar panels, storage batteries, distribution lines,
and all of the other equipment, financing must be found and included in
the plan. There are resources to help with these considerations. For example,
access to financing may be provided by the World Bank, the government of
the country, or another source (IRENA, 2018). Without taking these considerations into account, though, mini- grids can suffer from instability or even
collapse as a system.