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Characterization of Technological Innovations in Photovoltaic Rural Electrification, Based on the Experiences of Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina: Third Generation Solar Home Systems

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  • Miguel H. Fernandez-Fuentes

    (Instituto de Energía Solar, ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
    ENERGETICA Foundation, La Paz, Cochabamba E-573, Bolivia)

  • Andrea A. Eras-Almeida

    (Instituto de Energía Solar, ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Miguel A. Egido-Aguilera

    (Instituto de Energía Solar, ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The electrification of isolated homes in rural areas without access to the electric grid has been achieved in part using solar energy transformed into electricity through Photovoltaic (PV) equipment known as Solar Home Systems (SHSs), which has been widely disseminated throughout the world. The use of SHSs in rural electrification projects has been studied from 1980 to date, they have been incorporating advances and technological innovations successively. Through the review of documents on PV projects, articles, and technical reports, it has been possible to identify the changes in the main components of the SHS and the typical configurations, systematizing them in a discrete timeline. Thereby, this article characterizes three generations of SHSs and highlights their differences. The first generation is fully valid between 1980–1995, the second generation in 1995–2010, and the third generation from 2005 to date, which overlaps the beginning. In any case, the time limits in each period are only referential. The later generation, Third Generation Solar Home Systems (3G-SHSs), is highly efficient, uses LED lamps, lithium batteries, microelectronic control, and plug and play connections. Indeed, this equipment can be self-managed by the user and reflects the technology’s high reliability by a minimum maintenance service in situ. Furthermore, their lower costs make access to electricity more affordable for the last mile population. The present research offers a detailed technological and operational characterization of the 3G-SHSs to show the most relevant aspects of support to project developers, planners, and decision-makers to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel H. Fernandez-Fuentes & Andrea A. Eras-Almeida & Miguel A. Egido-Aguilera, 2021. "Characterization of Technological Innovations in Photovoltaic Rural Electrification, Based on the Experiences of Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina: Third Generation Solar Home Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3032-:d:514345
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    2. Bruno Domenech & Laia Ferrer-Martí & Facundo García & Georgina Hidalgo & Rafael Pastor & Antonin Ponsich, 2022. "Optimizing PV Microgrid Isolated Electrification Projects—A Case Study in Ecuador," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-24, April.
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    5. Dongxiao Niu & Tian Gao & Zhengsen Ji & Yujing Liu & Gengqi Wu, 2021. "Analysis of the Efficiency of Provincial Electricity Substitution in China Based on a Three-Stage DEA Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.

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