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An off-grid solution for rural electrification
Published on 18 May 2018
Croatia
Jadranska Hrvatska
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About this good practice
In Croatia there are still inhabited households in rural areas that have no access to electricity. Most often these are the isolated objects or small hamlets several kilometers away from the power grid. Households living in such facilities have been sentenced to a life without electricity, which directly means without sanitary, social and technological standards of living.
More than 50 solar systems for priority households are installed. Results are showing that the model of electrification of rural areas using solar systems is economically, socially and environmentally advantageous. Taking into account the total cost of ownership in 25 years, the lifetime of the equipment and system maintenance, for the objects several kilometers away from the power grid, solar systems are up to 25 times cheaper than building power grid close to the facility , .
This approach which allows homes to access electricity is based on usage of so called "island" solar systems without connecting to the grid. Such systems generate electricity through photo voltaic panels and store it in batteries. The systems will allow users to use all the standard household appliances.
The package given to the households for usage contains the generator that is used for the production of electricity in the case of a longer period without the sun, energy-efficient refrigerator and a set of LED bulbs. The solution is a modern, environmentally sustainable and cost effective.
More than 50 solar systems for priority households are installed. Results are showing that the model of electrification of rural areas using solar systems is economically, socially and environmentally advantageous. Taking into account the total cost of ownership in 25 years, the lifetime of the equipment and system maintenance, for the objects several kilometers away from the power grid, solar systems are up to 25 times cheaper than building power grid close to the facility , .
This approach which allows homes to access electricity is based on usage of so called "island" solar systems without connecting to the grid. Such systems generate electricity through photo voltaic panels and store it in batteries. The systems will allow users to use all the standard household appliances.
The package given to the households for usage contains the generator that is used for the production of electricity in the case of a longer period without the sun, energy-efficient refrigerator and a set of LED bulbs. The solution is a modern, environmentally sustainable and cost effective.
Resources needed
The supply and installation of independent photo-voltaic (PV) systems of 2.4 kW for 50 households costs in total (EUR 325,000).
(EUR 6,500) per household.
(EUR 6,500) per household.
Evidence of success
In 50 households off-grid solar PV systems were installed;
In this way, more than 3.5 million EUR was saved, because autonomous solar PV systems are 14 times cheaper than grid extension cost on average.
The model of electrification of rural areas using solar systems has proven economically, socially and environmentally advantageous due to enabled access to electricity to its final beneficiaries.
Independence from electricity distribution network.
In this way, more than 3.5 million EUR was saved, because autonomous solar PV systems are 14 times cheaper than grid extension cost on average.
The model of electrification of rural areas using solar systems has proven economically, socially and environmentally advantageous due to enabled access to electricity to its final beneficiaries.
Independence from electricity distribution network.
Potential for learning or transfer
- Every household permanently away from the power grid can have access to electricity from locally produced renewable energy sources.
- An example how to improve life conditions and foster economic development in rural areas remote from the power grid.
- How to realize systematic approach to the electrification of households using renewable energy sources in Croatia.
- How solar systems without connection to the grid, can meet the needs of the household electricity with much lower cost and in an environmentally favorable manner.
- An example how to improve life conditions and foster economic development in rural areas remote from the power grid.
- How to realize systematic approach to the electrification of households using renewable energy sources in Croatia.
- How solar systems without connection to the grid, can meet the needs of the household electricity with much lower cost and in an environmentally favorable manner.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Croatia
Croatia
Jadranska Hrvatska
Contact