Project Background
To date, the solar photovoltaic industry has largely focused on providing renewable energy in the form of grid-connected systems; however over 1.3 billion people around the world have no access to an electrical grid. Access to electricity is essential in developing countries in order to provide opportunities for economic expansion and ensure human health improvements (including reduction in indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases, improved sanitation and refrigeration, as well as enhanced water treatment) as populations continue to increase. First Solar has partnered with Powerhive Inc. to initiate a solution to this problem by launching pilot scale microgrid projects in rural locations Kenya. Locations such as Kenya are ideal markets for alternative energy expansion because more than 75% of people in Kenya do not have access to an electrical grid.
Project Significance
Analyzing the life cycle environmental impacts of PV microgrid systems will assist the PV industry in expanding pilot programs to other developing areas. Off-grid energy access solutions are a relatively new market segment compared to the rest of the energy industry. With this in mind, by sustainably expanding these pilot programs to new areas and larger scales, substantial first mover benefits may be available in this expanding market segment. Furthermore, by developing an effective business model for the expansion of solar PV microgrids to commercial scale operations, additional sustainable energy projects and development can be generated.
Providing these “off-grid” communities with access to electricity creates a multitude of health and social benefits. In many of these communities, kerosene, diesel, and biomass fuels are burned to cook and heat homes. This not only leads to structural fires and severe burns, but also to significant health risks like respiratory disease, tuberculosis and cataracts, and poisoning from indoor air pollution and unintentional ingestion. Substituting electricity for these fuels can effectively eliminate many of these risks.
Access to electricity also enables other quality of life improvements including sanitation, refrigeration, and water treatment. These improvements, in turn, can further enhance the health and life expectancies of people in the communities. Electricity also creates educational benefits by providing extended and improved study environments through lighting. Economic development, local industry, and future investment in these communities are also significantly linked to electricity access.
Providing these “off-grid” communities with access to electricity creates a multitude of health and social benefits. In many of these communities, kerosene, diesel, and biomass fuels are burned to cook and heat homes. This not only leads to structural fires and severe burns, but also to significant health risks like respiratory disease, tuberculosis and cataracts, and poisoning from indoor air pollution and unintentional ingestion. Substituting electricity for these fuels can effectively eliminate many of these risks.
Access to electricity also enables other quality of life improvements including sanitation, refrigeration, and water treatment. These improvements, in turn, can further enhance the health and life expectancies of people in the communities. Electricity also creates educational benefits by providing extended and improved study environments through lighting. Economic development, local industry, and future investment in these communities are also significantly linked to electricity access.
Project Objectives
The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the lifecycle environmental impacts and tradeoffs of three microgrid systems using process based lifecycle assessment (LCA) and too determine how these impacts compare to eachother, to traditional sources of electrification, and to small scale energy options in Kenya. The three microgrid systems are:
1. PV-Battery (A microgrid with a battery backup)
2. PV-Diesel (A microgrid with a diesel generator backup)
3. PV-Hybrid (A microgrid with both a battery and a diesel backup)
The secondary objective of this project is to explore the environmental impacts of other factors on the overall design and life cycle impacts of these microgrid systems. These factors include:
A. PV Technology
B. Manufacturing Location
C. Recycling Scenarios
1. PV-Battery (A microgrid with a battery backup)
2. PV-Diesel (A microgrid with a diesel generator backup)
3. PV-Hybrid (A microgrid with both a battery and a diesel backup)
The secondary objective of this project is to explore the environmental impacts of other factors on the overall design and life cycle impacts of these microgrid systems. These factors include:
A. PV Technology
B. Manufacturing Location
C. Recycling Scenarios