Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. There are two main ways to generate solar energy: photovoltaics and concentrated solar power. Photovoltaics generate electricity directly from sunlight via an electronic process and can be used to power anything from small electronics up to homes and large commercial businesses. Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors to concentrate solar rays, creating steam to drive a turbine and generate electricity. CSP is used to generate electricity in large-scale power plants.
Ethiopia receives a solar irradiation of 5000 – 7000 Wh/m2 according to region and season and thus has great potential for the use of solar energy. Considering the high degree of solar PV potential in Ethiopia, the development of solar PV projects presents an extremely lucrative opportunity for investors. The country’s irradiation levels average around 5.2 kWh/m2/day, which provide the perfect conditions for the development of utility-scale PV plants.
Botswana is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and has also joined the Energy Protocol, which provides regional integration and cooperation for the development of renewable energy. The solar industry in Botswana has great potential. The country receives more than 3200 hours of sunshine a year, with an average insulation of 21 MJ7 / m2 and an average of 320 clear and sunny days per year. According to the Botswana Power Corporation, the country requires electricity for 600 MW and is expected to increase to 700 MW by 2019. The energy balance of the energy sources traded in Botswana is 75% represented by oil, electricity and coal sources while biomass fuels and wood fuels represent 25%; therefore renewable energy is rarely used. Botswana in its statement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) expressed its intention to achieve a global emission reduction of 15% by 2030, keeping 2010 as the base year. As regards solar power development, the following targets can be identified: • Production of solar thermal energy; • Construction of solar parks; • Photovoltaic systems for energy production; • Electrification of rural villages without electricity through photovoltaic installations; • Introduction of solar boilers. The potential role of solar energy could get to cover the energy demand of rural areas. Its enhancement could ease the pressure on the use of firewood.
Kenya is characterized by high insolation rates (namely 4-6kWh/m2/day levels of insolation), with average of 6/7 peak sunshine hours. Solar utilization is mainly for photovoltaic (PV) systems, drying and water heating. This sector has grown in importance over the last few years, partially due to the Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations 2012, which requires all buildings with hot water requirements exceeding 100 liters per day to be equipped with solar heating systems. Furthermore, the solar energy sector benefits from duty and tax exemptions for PV products and a fixed FiT of USD 0.12 per kWhr for 10MW. Several companies are currently operating in the off-grid solar energy sector, by using mini-grids to achieve universal electrification in the country. In addition to this, the pay-as-you-go model, pioneered by M-Kopa Solar, is enabling low-income households, in off-grid locations, to rent, and, at a later stage, own, home solar power systems.
Due to its position on the tropical belt and for the high altitude reached by the Andes mountain Range where the atmosphere margin is reduced, Peru presents one of the highest annual solar radiations in the world, ranging from 5.5 a 6.5 kWh/m2 in the mountains, 5.0 a 6.0 kWh/m2 along the coast and 4.5 a 5.0 kWh/m2 in the rainforest. The areas of Peru with the greatest resources for solar energy is its southern coast close to Arequipa, Moquegua y Tacna. In these areas, average irradiation per year is around 250 W/m2.
This incredible potential for solar energy production has only been fulfilled partially.
In 2019, solar energy arrived to cover 1,3% of electricity demand in Peru, through photovoltaic plants generating 762 GWh. The main uses of the energy produced are related to telecommunication and industries such as agriculture, mining and water pumping. In the past years, solar energy has also been acquiring importance for the electrification of rural areas that are disconnected from the national network, called ‘Sistema Eléctrico Interconectado Nacional’.
Radiacion Solar por Departamiento - DeltaVolt
Radiacion por Mes y Anual - DeltaVolt
Electrificacion Rural - Más de 242 localidades rurales electrificadas con paneles solares en 2018 – AutoSolar Peru
El desarrollo de la energía solar en el Perú – Grupo de Apoyo al Sector Rural
The solar energy potential is great for the vast territory of Kazakhstan, there are high levels of solar irradiance in most regions of the country. But as Kazakhstan is in the northern hemisphere, the general trend is to develop solar sources in the south, such as in the Burnoye area near Shymkent. This helps to address imbalances in the energy network. However, the country’s current total of installed solar power capacity is low, at 209 MW, with a large number of projects scheduled to start operations by 2020. The number of sunny hours is 2,200–3,000 per year, and the energy of solar radiation is 1,300– 1,800 kW/m2/y. According to experts, Kazakhstan’s solar power potential is estimated to be 3.9 to 5.4 TWh, or approximately 5% of annual power consumption.