Sustainability of access to electricity through 17 functional off-grid solar photovoltaic systems after 20 years of operation in a remote wildlife sanctuary of India -a case study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The decentralized solar mini-grids provide access to electricity in remote regions worldwide; however, the sustainability of these systems has always been a challenge due to technical, operational, and maintenance issues. The objective of this study is to address these concerns for the sustainability of mini-grids in providing electricity to the deprived population in the inaccessible regions worldwide. In this first-time study, a comprehensive analysis of 17 functional off-grid photovoltaic systems in a Wildlife sanctuary of India is presented. The results show that these systems are fulfilling the energy needs of 100 % of the electric loads of the rural population even after >20 years of installation. The battery utilization, which ranged from 26–76 % of the nominal capacity, changed to 31–57 % after capacity upgradation. The results show that the existing optimized mini-grid design with a compact power distribution network system is most appropriate for such remote locations, along with strategic planning, regular monitoring, and technology upgradation, demand optimization, and capacity enhancement. Regular operation and maintenance by locally trained personnel is another key factor for the sustainable operation of mini-grids in remote regions. The study identifies strategy and policy recommendations for solar mini-grids for developing countries worldwide.
Source: Next research.
Institution: Shoolini University
Language: English
Subfield: Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W4417047943