Viability of Micro Hydro – Solar PV Hybrid in Rural Electrification in Rwanda

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.