Abstract:
Electricity in Rwanda is available with only 51% of the households are connected to
the central grid; even the above coverage is confined to major towns and cities. The
village for this study, Mwogo Sector / Bugesera District is composed with more than
250 households without electricity for lighting and entertainment (TV and Radio).
The estimation shows Mwogo sector among least populated with share of 4.9%
inhabitants of total resident population of Bugesera District. And is touched by
Akagera liver on its north boundary. The source of energy for lighting in Mwogo
sector vary by area of residence. In urban areas, the three main sources of energy for
lighting are electricity (48%), kerosene lamp (23.7%), and Candle (18.4%) whereas in
rural areas, the common mainly used sources of lighting are kerosene lamps (37.4%),
Candle (11.2%) and electricity (6%). This lack of electricity distribution contribute to
lack of vital public services. And nothing has been done so far in developing the
renewable energy resources such as small-scale hydro and solar energy in the village.
In this study, feasibility of micro hydro/PV pump hybrid electric supply system to one
pilot village in Rwanda was analyzed using PVSYST software as optimization and
sensitivity analysis tool. Surface Metrology is used for the estimation of solar energy
potentials. Electric load for the basic needs of the community, such as, for lighting,
radio, television is estimated. One primary school, one community building for youth
activities and one health Center are also considered for the community. As a result the
integration of solar PV pump and micro hydro was simulated and proved to be a
viable operational system that can work in rural area of Rwanda and thus proved to be
less expensive compared to usually solar batteries normally accustomed to keep the
supply working in the nights or in absence of sun familiar in other hybrid of PV
solar/Micro Hydro.
