Battery based standalone SHS (solar home systems) are installed in Malawi to expedite rural electrification. A study was conducted to analyze the performance of SHS in low and high insolation areas of Malawi. It is ...Battery based standalone SHS (solar home systems) are installed in Malawi to expedite rural electrification. A study was conducted to analyze the performance of SHS in low and high insolation areas of Malawi. It is found that if the system is designed in accordance to procedures stipulated in Malawi standards, then it is capable of operating annually with mean performance ratio of 0.68, PV array production factor of 0.88 and system efficiency of 78% indicating a good system performance. The system is more reliable in high insulation areas (loss of load probability = 0.09) and when the battery charging is given priority during daytime, the overall system's reliability is improved by 40%. However, if the system is under-designed its performance ratio is reduced considerably and the system becomes less reliable. In overall, SHS in Malawi perform reliably if the system is well designed and maintained.展开更多
文摘Battery based standalone SHS (solar home systems) are installed in Malawi to expedite rural electrification. A study was conducted to analyze the performance of SHS in low and high insolation areas of Malawi. It is found that if the system is designed in accordance to procedures stipulated in Malawi standards, then it is capable of operating annually with mean performance ratio of 0.68, PV array production factor of 0.88 and system efficiency of 78% indicating a good system performance. The system is more reliable in high insulation areas (loss of load probability = 0.09) and when the battery charging is given priority during daytime, the overall system's reliability is improved by 40%. However, if the system is under-designed its performance ratio is reduced considerably and the system becomes less reliable. In overall, SHS in Malawi perform reliably if the system is well designed and maintained.