CHALLENGE
Off Grid Solar Localized Energy
$1 MILLION (Prize amount to be confirmed. Announcement expected for next year)
Solar home systems (SHS) are stand-alone photovoltaic systems that offer a cost-effective mode of supplying amenity power for lighting and appliances to remote off-grid households. In rural areas, that are not connected to the grid, SHS can be used to meet a household’s energy demand fulfilling basic electric needs. Globally SHS provide power to hundreds of thousands of households in remote locations where electrification by the grid is not feasible.
A SHS typically includes one or more PV modules consisting of solar cells, a charge controller which distributes power and protects the batteries and appliances from damage and at least one battery to store energy for use when the sun is not shining.
They contribute to the improvement of the standard of living by:
– Reducing indoor air pollution and therefore improving health as they replace kerosene lamps;
– Providing lighting for home study;
– Giving the possibility of working at night and facilitating the access to information and communication (radio, TV, mobile phone charging).
Furthermore, SHS avoid greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of conventional energy resources.
Given these conditions and benefits localized solar power technology have been adopted in several countries as a powerful source of improvement on living conditions and green energy resource.
