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The potential of renewable energy technologies for rural development in Lesotho

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  • Taele, B.M.
  • Gopinathan, K.K.
  • Mokhuts’oane, L

Abstract

The potential and utilization of renewable energy technologies (RETs), and energy analysis in Lesotho with emphasis on the contribution of solar energy technologies (SETs) is presented. The heavy reliance of the country on imported fossil fuel coupled with the growing demand for electricity and declining wood fuel supplies call for alternative sources of energy. Taking the average global solar radiation that ranges from 15 to 20MJ/m2 and cognizant of the short falls of other renewable energy sources in Lesotho, this paper focuses on the application of solar energy and associated developmental issues. The paper provides a statistical analysis of the energy demand and identifies areas of further growth for SETs. Various application areas of solar energy and their contribution to development in Lesotho together with future prospects for use of solar energy are also discussed. An analysis of the relative merits of using photovoltaic (PV) devices over other renewable energy sources in Lesotho is presented. It is argued that with proper economic support and utilization of efficient RETs, developing countries like Lesotho can meet their basic energy demands and alleviate the problems of energy shortages.

Suggested Citation

  • Taele, B.M. & Gopinathan, K.K. & Mokhuts’oane, L, 2007. "The potential of renewable energy technologies for rural development in Lesotho," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 609-622.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:32:y:2007:i:4:p:609-622
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2006.02.014
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    1. Karekezi, Stephen, 2002. "Renewables in Africa--meeting the energy needs of the poor," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(11-12), pages 1059-1069, September.
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    1. Niu, Hewen & He, Yuanqing & Desideri, Umberto & Zhang, Peidong & Qin, Hongyi & Wang, Shijin, 2014. "Rural household energy consumption and its implications for eco-environments in NW China: A case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 137-145.
    2. Francesco Pasanisi & Gaia Righini & Massimo D’Isidoro & Lina Vitali & Gino Briganti & Sergio Grauso & Lorenzo Moretti & Carlo Tebano & Gabriele Zanini & Mabafokeng Mahahabisa & Mosuoe Letuma & Muso Ra, 2021. "A Cooperation Project in Lesotho: Renewable Energy Potential Maps Embedded in a WebGIS Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-26, September.
    3. Jadhav, Atul S. & Chembe, Dickson K. & Strauss, Johann M. & Van Niekerk, Johannes L., 2017. "Status of Solar Technology Implementation in the Southern African Developing Community (SADC) Region," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 622-631.
    4. Taele, B.M. & Mokhutšoane, L. & Hapazari, I., 2012. "An overview of small hydropower development in Lesotho: Challenges and prospects," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 448-452.
    5. Mpholo, Moeketsi & Nchaba, Teboho & Monese, Molebatsi, 2015. "Yield and performance analysis of the first grid-connected solar farm at Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Lesotho," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 845-852.
    6. Malik, Abdul Q., 2021. "Renewables for Fiji – Path for green power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    7. Li, Guozhu & Niu, Shuwen & Ma, Libang & Zhang, Xin, 2009. "Assessment of environmental and economic costs of rural household energy consumption in Loess Hilly Region, Gansu Province, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1438-1444.
    8. D’Isidoro, Massimo & Briganti, Gino & Vitali, Lina & Righini, Gaia & Adani, Mario & Guarnieri, Guido & Moretti, Lorenzo & Raliselo, Muso & Mahahabisa, Mabafokeng & Ciancarella, Luisella & Zanini, Gabr, 2020. "Estimation of solar and wind energy resources over Lesotho and their complementarity by means of WRF yearly simulation at high resolution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 114-129.
    9. Ribó-Pérez, David & Bastida-Molina, Paula & Gómez-Navarro, Tomás & Hurtado-Pérez, Elías, 2020. "Hybrid assessment for a hybrid microgrid: A novel methodology to critically analyse generation technologies for hybrid microgrids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 874-887.
    10. Sonja S. Teelucksingh & Paulo A.L.D. Nunes, 2010. "Biodiversity Valuation in Developing Countries: A Focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)," Working Papers 2010.111, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    11. Clausen, Laura Tolnov & Rudolph, David, 2020. "Renewable energy for sustainable rural development: Synergies and mismatches," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    12. Musango, Josephine K. & Brent, Alan C., 2011. "Assessing the sustainability of energy technological systems in Southern Africa: A review and way forward," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 145-155.
    13. Gyatso, Ngawang & Li, Ye & Gao, Zhiteng & Wang, Qiang & Li, Shoutu & Yin, Qiang & Chen, Junbo & Jin, Peng & Liu, Zhengshu & Ma, Zengyi & Chen, Xuefeng & Feng, Jiajia & Dorje,, 2023. "Wind power performance assessment at high plateau region: A case study of the wind farm field test on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    14. Malik, A.Q., 2011. "Assessment of the potential of renewables for Brunei Darussalam," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 427-437, January.
    15. Zawilska, E. & Brooks, M.J., 2011. "An assessment of the solar resource for Durban, South Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 3433-3438.

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