Title: Photovoltaic applications in rural areas of developing countries: a survey of evidence

Authors: Yvette Stevens

Addresses: United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract: Deficient energy supplies compound the economic problems facing many developing countries. Fuel wood and charcoal are scarce and/or increasingly expensive due to the rising demand for forestry resources and insufficient afforestation. The supply of oil products is also deficient as a result of the balance of payments deficits experienced by most developing countries in recent years. Photovoltaic (PV) technology is a viable alternative for providing electricity for rural areas. There are three groups of PV application. The first consists of technologies that are viable even under present conditions. The second group of applications are those that are low powered, but for which other existing technologies are more cost effective at current prices and development levels. To the third group belong the high-power applications. Since PV technology can be shown to be reliable and cost-effective for some applications, it should be considered as an alternative to rural electrification.

Keywords: developing countries; photovoltaic applications; refrigeration; rural energy supplies; rural healthcare; water pumping; photovoltaics; rural areas.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1990.063707

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1990 Vol.2 No.1, pp.50-62

Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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