Abstract:
Access to reliable and affordable electricity remains a significant challenge for rural communities in Rwanda. Extending the national grid to remote areas is often impractical due to high infrastructure costs, challenging terrain, and low population density. To address this issue, photovoltaic (PV) microgrids offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative, harnessing the abundant solar energy available in the country. This study focuses on designing an optimized PV microgrid system for Gitwa Village, which currently lacks access to electricity.
The project involves an in-depth analysis of the village’s energy demand, the assessment of solar energy potential, and the design of a scalable standalone PV microgrid system. A systematic methodology was employed, including data collection on household energy consumption, solar irradiation analysis, and the selection of appropriate system components such as PV panels, inverters, and battery storage. To ensure efficiency and reliability, the system was simulated using HOMER software, which provided insights into energy production, cost-effectiveness, and performance under various scenarios.
The results of the study indicate that Gitwa Village requires approximately 324 kWh/day to meet its daily electricity needs. The optimized PV microgrid design consists of an 81.25 kW PV array, a 32KW inverter, and a battery bank with 148 batteries to ensure stable power supply. Simulation results show that the system is capable of providing reliable electricity at a competitive Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $0.07469/kWh, making it an economically viable solution for rural electrification.
This research highlights the potential of PV microgrids in bridging the energy access gap in Rwanda, providing not only electricity but also fostering socio-economic development. The study also emphasizes the importance of government support, financial incentives, and local capacity building to ensure the long-term sustainability of such systems. The findings serve as a valuable reference for policymakers, energy developers, and researchers working towards scalable off-grid electrification solutions in Rwanda and beyond.
