Botswana, a land-locked southern African country, with a population of
some 1.5 million people. It is very sparsely populated thus making
electrification problematic. Lack of access to electricity are faced by
majority of developing countries, particularly rural communities. A
number of developing countries are now encouraging the use of solar home
system and Botswana is not immune to this system.
Initially people in Botswana lived without power and rely on wood for light
and cooking, or sometimes they used kerosene and candles. If they have a
generator, they have to deal with the transportation and expense of diesel
to keep the unit running as well as the maintenance of the engines. But now
it has changed.
This initiative was undertaken in response to Botswana’s urgent call for
alternative fuels and a means of reducing carbon emissions. It targets poor
and female efficient energy devices at affordable prices.
Initially people in Botswana had been using firewood to light and heat
their homes. This practice, used by 80% of Botswana’s rural population has
led to the destruction of countless acres of forest. After purchasing their
own home solar system, however, the family’s world changed overnight.
They are running on energy kiosk that sells solar lanterns, wood saving
stoves and hot bags-that keeps food warm and thereby reduce cooking
time on stoves. In addition to preserving Botswana’s forest by reducing the
need for firewood, the solar power programme is saving women and girls
valuable time. The wood saving stoves for example cooks four persons
meal with only a kilogram of firewood- thereby reducing the time needed
for firewood collection and the hot bags reduce the cooking time overall.
Kerosene lamps and sore eyes were once routine elements of grading
student’s homework. Now, it is a changed world for them.
Children in Botswana spend more time reading and finishing their school
work. Education is enhanced through evening studies and other
educational activities.
It empowers both men and women through income generation. Rural to
urban migration have reduced and upgraded health standards by
electrifying a local health centre. Installing solar panels to power multiple
houses at once has also cut down on costs.
Along with the efficiency of solar system in rural household of Botswana
there are some limitations as well.
First of all, load creep is a problem. Often a system is designed for a specific
load, say on a farm, to run lights. Over years, more electrical devices are
purchased. As a result, the electrical loads grow and after a number of
years, the system is inadequately sized for the demands placed on it.
Secondly, there is a lack of battery maintenance.
Thirdly, although the amount of sunlight in Botswana is relatively high to
other parts of the world, the irradiation levels are only close to one peak
sun at around noon time. A solar panel will therefore only produce its rated
output for a short while around midday, the rest of the time, the irradiation
is lower and the output is commensurately lower.
Inspite of the above mention limitations its efficiency is immensely helping
the rural household of Botswana.
some 1.5 million people. It is very sparsely populated thus making
electrification problematic. Lack of access to electricity are faced by
majority of developing countries, particularly rural communities. A
number of developing countries are now encouraging the use of solar home
system and Botswana is not immune to this system.
Initially people in Botswana lived without power and rely on wood for light
and cooking, or sometimes they used kerosene and candles. If they have a
generator, they have to deal with the transportation and expense of diesel
to keep the unit running as well as the maintenance of the engines. But now
it has changed.
This initiative was undertaken in response to Botswana’s urgent call for
alternative fuels and a means of reducing carbon emissions. It targets poor
and female efficient energy devices at affordable prices.
Initially people in Botswana had been using firewood to light and heat
their homes. This practice, used by 80% of Botswana’s rural population has
led to the destruction of countless acres of forest. After purchasing their
own home solar system, however, the family’s world changed overnight.
They are running on energy kiosk that sells solar lanterns, wood saving
stoves and hot bags-that keeps food warm and thereby reduce cooking
time on stoves. In addition to preserving Botswana’s forest by reducing the
need for firewood, the solar power programme is saving women and girls
valuable time. The wood saving stoves for example cooks four persons
meal with only a kilogram of firewood- thereby reducing the time needed
for firewood collection and the hot bags reduce the cooking time overall.
Kerosene lamps and sore eyes were once routine elements of grading
student’s homework. Now, it is a changed world for them.
Children in Botswana spend more time reading and finishing their school
work. Education is enhanced through evening studies and other
educational activities.
It empowers both men and women through income generation. Rural to
urban migration have reduced and upgraded health standards by
electrifying a local health centre. Installing solar panels to power multiple
houses at once has also cut down on costs.
Along with the efficiency of solar system in rural household of Botswana
there are some limitations as well.
First of all, load creep is a problem. Often a system is designed for a specific
load, say on a farm, to run lights. Over years, more electrical devices are
purchased. As a result, the electrical loads grow and after a number of
years, the system is inadequately sized for the demands placed on it.
Secondly, there is a lack of battery maintenance.
Thirdly, although the amount of sunlight in Botswana is relatively high to
other parts of the world, the irradiation levels are only close to one peak
sun at around noon time. A solar panel will therefore only produce its rated
output for a short while around midday, the rest of the time, the irradiation
is lower and the output is commensurately lower.
Inspite of the above mention limitations its efficiency is immensely helping
the rural household of Botswana.
