Nepal: Solar energy promises to provide a viable alternative

In Nepal , 7 percent of the population has the access to alternative energy. There are roughly 100,000 micro hydro plants in the country (micro means less than 100 kw capacity). Around 50,000-55,000 households use solar energy. These two sector constitute 3.4 to 4 percent of the population. And then, 1,32,000 households use biogas, which is also around 3 percent of the population.

Despite the presence of tremendous hydropower potentials, the people of Nepal have not witnessed big transformation in their villages due to the extreme nature of their country’s topography. The scattered and secluded villages are far apart; and, therefore, not feasible for central grid connection, according to experts.
Currently, around 30,000 rural households are being connected to national electricity grid every year. In contrast distributed energy systems supply 45,000 new households every year with access to biogas, micro hydro or Solar Home System (SHS).

Solar Home System (SHS) is a form of alternative energy that is being widely used in rural Nepal . For population that lack central grid connection, SHS has provided a viable alternative. “Alternative electricity generating technologies for off-grid rural households are domestic gasoline powered 1-5 kW generators, solar home system (SHS) ranging in size between 15 and 60 W and small battery charging through 10-150 W wind turbines. Gasoline powered generators have high investment and operating cost and most of the sites are not suitable for wind turbines. Compared to other solar Photo Voltaic (PV) technology is found more appropriate for electrification of off-grid households of rural Nepal . Solar Home system is found the cost-effective choice and matches need of target population well,” according to the Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC).

Experts say that Nepal has immense potential of tapping solar energy. The country has, on average, 6.9 sunshine hours per day totaling 2482 sunshine hours per year. The solar energy potential here is around 4.5 kwh/sq. m./ day.

Peace Journalism