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Moving Up the Electrification Ladder in Off-Grid Settlements with Rooftop Solar Microgrids

Author

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  • Isabelo Rabuya

    (Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
    Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines)

  • Melissa Libres

    (Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
    Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines)

  • Michael Lochinvar Abundo

    (Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
    Saab-NTU Joint Lab, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

  • Evelyn Taboada

    (Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines)

Abstract

The multi-tier framework (MTF) of electricity access defines a continuum of electrification from tier 0, where access is inexistent or very limited, to tier 5 where access is of grid quality. Transitioning households from lower to higher tiers unlocks the potential in meeting more of their energy needs. This study investigates the transition towards higher tier electricity access on Gilutongan Island, an off-grid island of Cebu, Philippines, which is also an informal settlement community with no open land available for a centralized solar PV system. The solar PV potential of suitable rooftops on the island was determined using satellite imagery, ground measurements, and computation. The electricity demand of a cluster of 11 households was examined in detail; these households, situated near two suitable rooftops, were connected to an installed 7.92 kWp solar PV-based microgrid. Results show that the households moved up from lower to higher tier levels in all MTF attributes except for affordability. Nevertheless, the cost of a standard electricity consumption package of 1 kWh/day dropped from 18% of the average household income to 6%. Moving up on the electrification ladder to higher tier electricity access in off-grid areas is attainable with households clustered as a microgrid using rooftop solar PV. Affordability remains to be the biggest challenge that needs to be addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabelo Rabuya & Melissa Libres & Michael Lochinvar Abundo & Evelyn Taboada, 2021. "Moving Up the Electrification Ladder in Off-Grid Settlements with Rooftop Solar Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:12:p:3467-:d:573348
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos & Dalia Streimikiene & Tomas Baležentis, 2022. "Addressing Challenges of Low-Carbon Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-7, August.
    2. Jaybee Lacea & Edward Querikiol & Evelyn Taboada, 2021. "Balancing Energy Trilemma Using Hybrid Distributed Rooftop Solar PV (DRSP)/Battery/Diesel Microgrid: A Case Study in Gilutongan Island, Cordova, Cebu, Philippines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-32, November.

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