Solar Energy programme under Prakaushali Sangsad Ltd.
1. Name of project, Client and Project description : Bangladesh Rural Electrification – Solar Home Program Preparation
Client: The World Bank, Washington.
This project was carried out to assist the World Bank in preparing the Solar Home Program of the upcoming Rural Electrification loan project. PSL was entrusted to
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SHS project design for Bangladesh with financial, technical and institutional requirements
Identify areas for Solar electrification project implementation
Select PBSs (rural electrification cooperatives of Rural Electrification Board), NGOs and community based organizations for participation in the SHS program
Carry out demonstration of SHS in selected areas for promoting awareness in the areas
Develop affordable financial models and business plans to be adopted by the project.
Duration :
14 Person-monthsImplementation Year :
April-July 01
2. Feasibility Study for a Solar Home Project within the Context of Alternative Options for Rural Electrification.
Duration :
14 Person-months
Study Year : 1999-2000
Client: The World Bank.
The study conducted extensive investigation into identifying mechanisms for accelerating access to electrification in rural Bangladesh. In addition to developing alternative approaches for disseminating Solar Home Systems (SHS) technology and investigating their feasibility, the study carried out the following:
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Review of alternative supply options (grid electrification, decentralized local supplies and SHS) in provision of rural electrification services through surveys.
Recommendation for a project scope including specific areas to be targeted
Delivery mechanisms and institutional arrangements including the role of Private sector organizations, NGOs and REB/PBSs
Financial analysis for loan and debt service plan
Modeling project financing arrangements
3. Opportunity for Women in Renewable Energy Technology (RET) Utilization in Bangladesh- Phase I
Study Year :
1999-2000Duration :
14 Person-months
Client: Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), Washington
This project consists of 3 main components,
Capacity building among rural women: through,
(a)
initiating income generating activities in energy service delivery using off-grid electrification in un-electrified coastal islands operated by a women’s micro-enterprise,(b)
production and sale of efficient DC lamps for use with batteries charged by PV or diesel chargers,(c)
micro-credit operation by the members to sell batteries among the islanders to be used with the DC lamps,(d)
promotion of efficient use of RET such as improved stoves among the members.
Capacity building among professional women: by conducting training programs on RET, visits to ongoing RET projects in neighboring country, and formation of a network for professional women to increase awareness and facilitate dissemination of RET and energy efficiency related information.
Institutional capacity building: by preparing a “Guideline for Equitable Utilization of RET by the Public Sector of Bangladesh” to be included in the government’s planning process.
A unique model for private sector intervention in off-grid electrification has been identified with the scope of poverty alleviation and income generation for rural women.
The consultants provided necessary technical and management training for developing the micro-enterprise and women’s cooperative. They conducted intensive training for the 35 members having production and sales capacity of 600 DC Lamps per month. More than 800 of which are now being used in the surrounding area. The women’s micro-enterprise is now operating and maintaining a business of 4 battery sales outlet cum charging stations, and local Micro-grids in the islands of Char Montaj and Rangabali, in Patuakhali district and plans to actively participate in any future solar and off-grid electrification program in Bangladesh.
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Women are assembling Solar Home System Accessories |
National seminars on the scope of renewable energy in Bangladesh were held inviting high ranking government officials, multilateral and bilateral agencies, attended by both public and private sector participants. International technical training programmes were organized in renewable energy and energy efficiency awareness building among professional women.
4. Market Assessment Survey of Solar PV Application in Bangladesh (Phase II of the project is underway.):
14 Person-monthsDuration :
Study Year :
2002-2004Client: The World Bank.
The study was carried out to determine the potential market for Solar Home Systems (SHS) in parts of rural Bangladesh which may not be accessible to grid electrification in the near future. The activities included:
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Socio-economic survey for assessing prevailing rural electrification situations
National market projection for solar photovoltaic in Bangladesh.
Identification of preferred delivery modes for solar PV in rural electrification.
Report on ‘willingness to pay’ for solar PV electrification (lease and/or purchase).
Financial analysis.
Market Assessment Survey of Solar PV Application in Bangladesh:
Client:
The World Bank.The study was carried out to determine the potential market for Solar Home Systems (SHS) in parts of rural Bangladesh which may not be accessible to grid electrification in the near future. The activities included:
Socio-economic Survey of Solar PV Applications in Rural Electrification: Narshingdi Solar Electrification Project
Client: The World Bank.
The objective of this socio-economic survey was to assess the overall performance and acceptability of solar PV systems installed through the government’s (REB/PBS) project in three islands of Narsingdi. The study also made recommendations on technical, institutional and financial aspects of future PV programs.
Optimal Design of DC Luminaires for Solar PV Application
Duration : 8 Person-months
Client: The World Bank
The objective of the project was to determine the cause of premature blackening and common failures in DC lamps and ballasts. The consultant also proposed prototypes of DC lamps to ensure,
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Removal of premature failure
Optimized luminous efficacy, and
Reduced cost for components
Reports were prepared on design analysis, construction and performance of
DC luminaries has been published in Quality Program for Photovoltaics.
In
association with Energy Systems (ES), Bangladesh
5. Implementation of
Solar Photovoltaic electrification of 12 cyclone shelter buildings in the
off-shore islands of Bangladesh.
Study Year :
Client: Local Government Engineering Department (LGED)
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Activities included :
System design for solar PV electrification in 12 cyclone shelters.
System installation and social motivation for utilization of PV.
Initiation of nightly adult education program at cyclone centers in the offshore regions.
Installation of solar battery charging station in a cyclone shelter for use of the people.
6. Design and installation of demonstration RET units
Duration :
1999- date-
Solar PV lighting systems
Solar thermal water heaters
Solar PV water pumping systems
Improved cook stoves
Social motivation programs for utilization of Renewable Energy Technologies
Demonstration of RET products and systems at educational institutions and public exhibitions
PSL has participated in several national exhibitions aimed at demonstration of SHS as a viable alternative for off-grid electrification to the public and electrification authorities. PSL offers demonstration programs of renewable energy to public schools and develops training material for entrepreneurs and technical education programs.
Women’s energy service cooperative at Char Montaz, Bangladesh
Project Goal
•
Empowering women through energy technology related services• Enhancement of Off-grid Rural Electrification by Utilization of Renewable Energy Technology
• Poverty reduction
Main objectives
• Scope of income generation for women
• Business model for off-grid electrification
• Local capacity for RET utilization
• Improving social inclusion
BACKGROUND
• The project was designed on the basis of experience gained during solar electrification of some cyclone shelter in the remote coastal areas. It was obvious that those areas would not be connected to the grid in the next 100 years
• The people living there could be helped with modern lighting using renewable technology provided they could operate and maintain the systems themselves
• Giving women the opportunity to assemble the components and run the business of SHS could achieve the double benefits of empowering the women and increasing access to energy of the population
Scenario during the Starting Period of the Project
• There were a lot of social hindrance to work with cooperative
• Women were very conservative
• Women had no power to take any decision & their economic status were very poor
• No access of electricity, so there is very little scope to work after evening
• Most of them have a very little academic qualification
Main features
• 35 women owner members
• Factory/head office in Char Montaz
• Management of the energy business
• Implementation of Solar Home System sales program
• Assembly of high quality lamps and charge controllers for solar systems
• Operation of solar battery charging station
• Technical assistance from PSL
Activities of the cooperative
Assembling the charge controller
Assembling the Lamp Circuit
Testing Lamp Circuit
Inspection of Charge Controller Circuit
Checking the Circuit
Participating in a Exhibition at Dhaka
Solar Battery Charging Station
Cooperative’s Shop
Runu’s(a Cooperative member)
own shop at the market
Shahida’s(a Cooperative member) own shop at the market
Find More about Solar Energy Programme in official website of Prakaushali Sangsad Ltd. at :http://www.psldhaka.org/recentprojects.htm
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