Solar Pumping System for Rural Water Supply and Small Scale Irrigation Schemes, A Case Study of Regional Hubs ff Islamic Development Bank, Rabat, Morocco; Dakar, Senegal; Abuja, Nigeria .

Abstract

Non-renewable energy sources usage for water pumping in African communities threatens the energy security of our continent and contribute to climate change through the use of environmental unfriendly energy sources. These indigenous energy sources may lead to loss of economic and environmental viability due to widely use of diesel motors. This research analyzed the technical, social and economic feasibility of solar water pumping system as an alternative clean energy source. Before conducting a thoroughly detailed designs and analysis of the cost, introductory information about the accessibility of identified sites and all necessary materials were acquired through site maps and local SWPs suppliers. Site conditions as well as all materials and methods to collect information were included but not limited to literature review, site visit and physical observation, interview, consultation, photograph, software and checklists. This study found that system oversizing and downsizing affects the technical and economic performance. 11 out of 17 surveyed projects in Tanzania have negative NPV i.e the value of cash flow is less than the investment cost of the project for the duration of 20years. Investment cost of the systems increases with an increase of array capacity however in same cases the same array capacity may be having different investment cost in different areas. According to IRENA the unit cost of PV system is Africa is averaged to USD 1.30 (IRENA, 2016), but the average cost per watt of surveyed installed systems goes to USD 5.6, and this may vary from one country to another due to different external factors such as transportation and labour cost.