Solar Home Systems for Rural Development

Since the rural network is characterized by a comparatively lower consumer density, it often becomes difficult and uneconomic to extend electricity grid lines to certain remote locations. Solar Home System (SHS) seems to be the only appropriate form of renewable energy despite the monsoon type of climate in Bangladesh for household lighting and operating television. The problem is that there is as yet not that much research has been carried out to determine the real niche for SHS in Bangladesh. Lack of technical knowhow, financial constrain, lack of awareness, insufficient information are the barriers for sustainability of SHS. Therefore, this work was carried out to analyze the financial viability and find out the technical aspects and social impacts of the typical applications of small SHSs in selected villages. By following this work, researcher and policy planers can get an overview of the dissemination status of photovoltaic technology and economical viability of SHSs in rural areas. This work could be pursued to serve as reference to assess the impacts of SHS for future photovoltaic undertaking in any country.

PhD: Energy planning focusing renewable energy technologies at University of Bonn (Germany), MSc in energy systems and management at University of Flensburg (Germany), BSc in electrical and electronic engineering at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Bangladesh). Senior Engineer, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka.