A Technical Study on Assessment of Resource Potential and Technological Options of Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems for Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This thesis work is a study about solar energy and photovoltaic technology option potential of Amhara Region. The first task of the study is assessing the availability of solar energy resource in the region. A new topology dependent model of estimating global solar radiation from relative sunshine hour records is developed and applied to estimate the resource potential in the region. As basic technological variations of PY systems, off grid and grid connected PY system potentials are anticipated for the region too. The off grid system potential is expressed in terms of the need for the technology in non electrified rural service sectors including primary schools, health centers/posts, water pumping units, and individual households. The possibly generated solar energy from roof top solar systems installed on condominium buildings in the region is used to show the photovoltaics potential in term of grid connected systems. The results showed an attractive potential availability in terms of both off-grid and grid-tied PY systems in the region. Dek Island was the focus for the study area for illustrating the provision of standalone solar systems in rural areas. Detailed designs of PY systems for Gurer First Cycle Primary school, Dek Health Center, and Arsema Semaetat Church are carried out. Comparison of a PY system with a diesel generator and hybrid system is performed on the church. Design evaluation of the installed system for the health center was the other task. The required PY system to transform the hand driven water pump in Gurer Village to a PY powered one was also designed. The grid connected alternative is more emphasized by a case study on two selected condominium buildings in Bahir Dar City. Load estimation based on meter reading and a detail roof study with shading analysis were required for designing the roof mounted grid­