Decentralized Energy Use in Mountain Regions

Author: Schweizer-Ries, Petra

Source: Mountain Research and Development, 21(1) : 25-29

Published By: International Mountain Society

URL: https://doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2000)021[0025:DEUIMR]2.0.CO;2

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Decentralized Energy Use in Mountain RegionsSolar-Electric Stand-Alone Systems

Petra Schweizer-Ries

Mountain Research and Development Vol 21 No 1 Feb 2001: 25–29

Special difficulties and high costs are fre-quently incurred when sources of energysuch as kerosene or dry-cell batteries aretransported to mountain areas. Moreover,use and disposal of these sources of energypose risks to health and the environment. Onthe other hand, the use of local, renewablesources of energy such as wind, water, orsolar power ensures that mountain communi-ties can enjoy both greater independenceand safety with respect to energy supply. Inmountain regions worldwide, local hydropow-er produced by small water turbines is impor-tant for irrigation, grain milling, and otherpurposes. Water turbines have also long beenused to produce electricity to illuminate

houses or operate radio and televisiondevices, while direct solar energy has tradi-tionally been used to dry food and clothing.Recently, however, a variety of solar energysystems including special house construc-tion, use of cooking devices such as the well-known cooking boxes and reflector systems,and electricity supplied by photovoltaic(solar-electric) systems have been intro-duced. Some of these systems are especiallysuitable for areas with intense sunlight andlow temperatures. Solar-electric stand-alonesystems have proven useful in the EuropeanAlps and the Pyrenees, where there is evi-dence that they are an important source ofsustainable energy (Figure 1).

Solar-electric stand-alone systems:environmentally friendly and sustain-able electricity in mountain areas

As transport in mountain areas is often dif-ficult, it is preferable to use local anddecentralized sources of energy. Photo-voltaic (PV) cells can convert light into

electricity. PV cells are noiseless and donot depend on mechanical or chemicalprocesses. They require no fuel and do notbegin to degrade for at least 20 years. Theycan be easily exchanged and recycled afteruse. But solar energy systems do not con-sist only of PV modules. They are compre-hensively designed systems that include a

FIGURE 1 Age-old and modernuse of solar energy in theSpanish Pyrenees: whileclothes are hung out to bedried by wind and sun, thephotovoltaic (PV) panelsprovide energy for a family’smultiple electricity needs.(Photo by SEBA)

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Petra Schweizer-Ries

Mountain Research and Development Vol 21 No 1 Feb 2001

storage battery for use during times of lessintense sunlight or at night. Moreadvanced systems have a charge controllerand/or an inverter that produces alternat-ing current (AC) for electrical appliancesdesigned to operate on this type of cur-rent. Larger systems, and those used in theNorthern Hemisphere with lower seasonalinsolation, often have an auxiliary energyprovider such as a generator powered by arenewable source of energy (wind orwater) or a diesel generator (Figure 2).

Increasing the efficiency of solar sys-tems and their use in remote areas whereextension of the electricity grid is too cost-ly is a central concern in sustainable devel-opment. But this involves more than con-tinuous technical improvement. TheFraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Sys-tems has shown that it is important tointegrate such systems into existing socialand economic systems. Accordingly, manyaspects of technical systems should beconsidered. These include issues relatedto production of technical componentsand organization of maintenance, dissemi-nation and local adaptation of compo-nents and design, and the sociotechnicalinterface where technology and users arematched in terms of information displayand the structure of users’ knowledge.

Solar-electric stand-alone systems inthe European Alps and the Pyrenees

The Fraunhofer Institute has been gain-ing experience with solar energy systemsfor more than 15 years by installing andmonitoring solar-electric stand-alone sys-tems throughout the world. In an effortto investigate how effectively such energysystems have been integrated into exist-ing social and economic contexts, weconducted a study based on extensiveinterviews with users of some of these sys-tems, together with a Spanish users’ asso-ciation (SEBA) and a Spanish company(TTA)that operate hundreds of such sys-tems in the Pyrenees. We talked to sever-al categories of solar energy users, rang-ing from rural families with minimalenergy demands to restaurant propri-etors with commercial interests and highlevels of demand. The results of these vis-its and related monitoring and experi-ence with earlier installations are summa-rized below. The aim is to show what isinvolved in developing a sustainable sup-ply of electricity in mountain areas usingsolar energy. This experience can be par-tially applied to other technical innova-tions and to other mountain areas out-side Europe.

We are happy with thislimitation of availableenergy: It makes us feelresponsible for our ener-gy consumption. Nobodyin this world shouldbehave as if there wereno limits on energy con-sumption. (Germanuser, April 1999)

FIGURE 2 Components of ahybrid solar-electric stand-alonesystem include a PV generator(1), a battery to store energy(2), a solar charge controller(3), and an inverter (4) to useAC appliances. A dieselgenerator (5) can be added toreduce dependence on weatherconditions and increase theavailability of power; it can beused to recharge the batterywith a rectifier (6). Thedistribution cabinet (7)constitutes the interfacebetween the energy system andthe conventional AC houseinstallation. From asociotechnical point of view,users (8) are also a significantpart of the system. (Graph byFraunhofer ISE)

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Development

Successful integration of renewableenergy sources in mountain areasThe study confirmed that it is importantto work closely with the users of solarenergy systems. Innovations cannot suc-ceed unless they are adopted by local com-munities; only the people in these com-munities can decide whether a particularsystem and maintenance program isappropriate to their needs and the moun-tain environment in which they live. Thedesign and use of new energy systems forsuch areas is also influenced by localhabits and expectations regarding theavailability of energy.

Power breakdowns are virtuallyunknown in many national electricitygrids. To the consumer, energy and powerseem to be unlimited; this encouragesunsustainable use of the supply. Withsolar-electric stand-alone systems, the situ-ation is different. An upper limit of avail-able energy and power is defined by theallowable investment costs. If the price ofa system has to remain low, future usersmust accept greater limitations. Of course,if users want a virtually unlimited powersupply—similar to that provided by theelectricity grid—it can be offered at a sig-nificantly higher cost since technical limi-tations are no longer really an issue. Butmountain communities are often used tomanaging on limited resources. It isimportant to keep this in mind whenintroducing new energy systems and toencourage further economical and pru-dent use of resources.

Local participation is crucial whenplanning a stand-alone system. Active deci-sions on appropriate and affordabledesign of energy systems are important.This includes decisions about whether touse small, individual, direct current (DC)systems, larger individual alternating cur-rent (AC) systems, or community systemsthat can be used and maintained by agroup.

In successful installations in the Alpsand the Pyrenees, the users knew their sys-tem very well (Figure 3). They weretrained by a competent installation crewand learned about the system while livingwith it. The interviews showed that initialuser training during installation of the sys-

tem is necessary. User workshops providefurther information and lead to a cooper-ative relationship among users.

User-friendly handbooks adapted tothe local culture are also very helpful.Such manuals must be well structured,with many illustrations and guidelines.The most effective support for users isfeedback from the system in daily life. Dif-ferent levels of visualization are needed todisplay the actual condition of the systemto its users. These technical devices mustbe simple and should show that the systemis running properly. This allows users tofeel that they have control over their sys-tem and can learn to adjust to the avail-able energy supply.

Compared with the costs of extend-ing national electricity grids, installingsolar-electric stand-alone systems is oftenthe cheapest option for providing elec-tricity, especially in remote mountainareas. However, when all operating costs,such as inspections, replacements,repairs, and maintenance are included,the price per kilowatt-hour is consider-ably higher for the user than prices paidby users of energy supplied by nationalelectricity grids. This is because the latterusually do not include so-called externalcosts (eg, development, waste disposal,

If the subsidies had notbeen provided, we couldnot have bought such asolar-electric system.(Spanish user, June1999)

FIGURE 3 A user confidentlychecks the batteries of astand-alone system in thePyrenees. (Photo by TTA)

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Petra Schweizer-Ries

Mountain Research and Development Vol 21 No 1 Feb 2001

etc) in the overall price. Use of energy-saving appliances is therefore really costeffective and should be promoted. Butthe high price of solar energy systemsalso implies that subsidies must be pro-vided for off-grid power supply in remoteareas (Figure 4). We believe that peoplein mountain areas are entitled to supportthat enables them to fulfill basic needsfor fresh water, health care, and energy atthe same cost as the bulk of the popula-tion in less remote areas. In remote areasof the Pyrenees and the Alps, subsidiesfor power supplies other than grid exten-sion are still lacking. This situation callsfor change if the imbalance between sub-sidies for urban areas and (marginal)rural areas is to be rectified.

Sufficient infrastructure is anotherimportant factor in sustainable use ofremote power supply provided by solar-electric stand-alone systems. Problems canbe reduced by using components of hightechnical quality and by carrying out regu-lar maintenance, but they will hardly beeliminated. Sustainable use of solar-elec-tric stand-alone systems therefore requiresan effective supporting structure. This isimportant in order to enable users to do

the most basic maintenance and repairwork by themselves, especially in remoteareas where access is difficult and timeconsuming. A technical hotline withtrained staff and standardized systemdesigns can help in solving most prob-lems. In the Spanish Pyrenees, the users’organization that helped conduct theinterviews works with local enterprises tooperate and maintain the systems. Anybreakdown can be repaired within 48hours. Therefore, it is important to drawup contracts in order to establish rightsand obligations with respect to use andmaintenance of solar-electric stand-alonesystems and the power they supply.

Outlook

The solar-electric stand-alone systems andmaintenance programs evoked here areone option for bringing electricity toremote mountain areas. They function inthe Northern Hemisphere (Figure 5) aswell as in southern mountain regions.Their sustainability can be greatlyenhanced by the fact that users of solarenergy who have been involved in plan-ning stand-alone systems for their own use

For us, it is importantto have support formaintenance andrepair, although we dothe most basic thingsourselves. If somethinghappens, we can counton our user association.This gives us the confi-dence we need. (Span-ish user, July 1999)

FIGURE 4 The stand-alone vil-lage power system of La Ram-bla del Agua in Spain wasfinanced by the local authori-ties, the European Commis-sion, and the users. A localand a regional users’ associa-tion (Virgen de la Piedad andSEBA) are in charge of manage-ment and maintenance. Produc-tive capacity (10 kWh ) catersto the needs of 40 households.(Photo by Fraunhofer ISE)

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tend to be far more conscious of the needto use energy sparingly (Figure 6).

Mountain climates with high insola-tion and low temperatures are an especial-ly suitable climate for use of PV cells. As aresult of reflection from snowfields, inso-lation rates in the mountains are some-times even higher than in the lowlands.Other solar technologies such as spaceheaters or water heaters are also appropri-ate and especially advantageous in moun-tain areas. The most important factor forsuccessful adoption and functioning ofthese systems, however, is integration ofthese new technologies into existingsocial, cultural, and economic systems andthe creation of a technical and financialinfrastructure to support the sustainableuse of solar energy systems.

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Development

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author expresses her thanks to allthose involved in the solar projects andinvestigations on which this paper relies.Special thanks to Martin Schulz, GeorgBopp, Klaus Preiser, Ingo Vosseler, XavierVallvé, Jordi Serrano, and Enma Ramirezi Solis and to mountain people worldwidewho provided information on their experi-ence with solar-electric stand-alone sys-tems. Investigations took place in proj-ects funded by the European Commis-sion and the German Ministry of Scienceand Technology (BMBF).

FURTHER READING

Schweizer P, Preiser K. 1997. Energyresources for remote highland areas. In:Messerli B, Ives JD, editors. Mountainsof the World. A Global Priority. New York,London: Parthenon Publishing Group, pp157–170.The web site of the Fraunhofer Instituteoffers further details on solar-electricstand-alone systems and their implemen-tation (http://www.ise.fhg.de/english/projects/pr-standalone/index.html).

FIGURE 6 Electricity demand drops when solar-electricstand-alone systems are used. An average privatehousehold consumes less than 3 kWh/d (1). Twice asmuch energy supplies 100 guests daily in a mountainlodge (2). The average German family supplied by thegrid needs more than four times as much as a familyusing solar energy (3). Solar systems can also supplysufficient power for businesses or entire villages (4).(Graph by Fraunhofer ISE)

FIGURE 5 Use of stand-alonesolar power is spreading in theEuropean Alps, where tourismhas become a very importantsource of livelihood for localpopulations. (Photo byFraunhofer ISE)

AUTHOR

Petra Schweizer-RiesFraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE, Olt-mannsstrasse 5, 79100 Freiburg, Germany.petra.schweizer-ries@ise.fhg.de

Petra Schweizer-Ries studied psychology and complet-ed a PhD on energy use in the Himalaya in 1996. Since1992, she has been working at the Fraunhofer ISE, where

she established an interdisciplinary working group onrural electrification and is currently involved in the useand integration of solar energy systems in rural societiesin various mountain regions of Asia, Europe, Africa, andLatin America. She teaches environmental psychology atseveral universities in Germany and Switzerland.

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