PV power production with zero energy for pumps

The HOMER simulation results, as seen in Figure 23 explains clearly the solar PV production and primary load consumption pattern provided the system is reduced to about 151 kW (no irrigation pumps required completely). Similarly the main production months for the case of Cameroon has approximately same (variations) of the solar PV produced for a given season of the year. Solar PV power produced during this period is purposely for lighting since refrigerators and pumps do not require the same energy as it is the case in the dry season. Less storage for vegetables and fruits needed during this time.

Figure 23: HOMER simulation of PV power output in Cameroon (151kW system)

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On average, we consider that a household (family) in Cameroon is, made up of about five persons.

Form this assumption, the APV plant supplying a farm’s on-site equipment with about 60 kWh of energy per day and also feeding about 80 homes with estimated 10 kWh/day/home however ensures the provision of electric power to a total number of persons as follows:

Total number of energy users per household (E) = 5 persons * 80 homes = 400 persons.

A total, of about 400 persons residing nearby the APV plant can be, supported with regular and clean energy fed from the solar power plant. This amount does not include the on-site equipment electricity (energy) demands.

Table 8: Description of solar system variables.

Variables Amount

Daily energy demand (kWh) 780

Peak sun-hours (h) 5

APV solar system size (kW) 156

Number of panels 624

Number of surrounding homes 80

Total number of energy users (residents) 400 Cost of solar energy consumption (c/kWh) ~ 0.224€

Table 8 clearly describes the system parameters and the number of units that a typical APV solar power plant can be, designed to support based on the electricity demand and the number of end users of energy per household. This also take into consideration, the peak sun-hours of the region and the combined energy demand for both farm tools and residential buildings nearby the APV solar plant, who require sustainable and regular electricity based on month subscription deals. The price (~0.0224€) charged by plant owner per kWh of energy according to the specification in HOMER is less compared to the national grid energy tariff price per kWh which is about 150cfa per kWh (0.230€).

56 6. Socio economic and environmental impacts

The social impacts vary from one another, but main issue is how the APV system is associated with daily life of people, community and the entire biodiversity and environment. Sustainability is quite broad and some ways to understand the concept of sustainability is by taking into consideration the three pillars of sustainable development (SD), which include; Economic growth, social aspects, and environmental protections. In this thesis, we will examine how solar PV systems satisfies the three areas above in terms of energy productions, distribution and consumption by end users.

 Reduces food waste

 Increases local farmer’s income

 Create jobs for local population

 Reduces malnutrition

 Storage flexibility

 Self-sustainable business for farmers

 Sustainable and affordable electricity

The points above, present some advantages that constructing an APV plant is capable of demonstrating. With suitable storage systems in an APV plant, post-harvest loss is, reduced by 90--95%. Boost up income for farmers through the sales of electricity to communities, large sales of crops harvested from the APV plot, which can directly increase annual income by 40% if utilized properly.

There is absolutely, high possibility to create new jobs in the local communities especially for women and young farmer engaging in intensive fruits and vegetable production. However providing lighting in a completely unpowered village where the electricity grid is far off and boosting standard of living in the surrounding communities and regions.

57 6.1 Farm to market storage specification

Commercial storage facilities for perishable crops play major roles in a farming solution like the APV system, to keep crops fresh until their arrival in the markets for sales. A good example is Cold-hub storage, a sustainable farming storage facility that has been able to prevent excess losses from harvested fruits, vegetables, potatoes and other crops cultivated on a similar solar farming system. This is possible by using an APV power plant where the safety of perishable farm products is about 90‒95 percentage guaranteed before their arrivals to the market. In addition, the fact that an APV system is capable to provide a 24/7 energy required for storage of any kind of farm products, and poultry products to keep them fresh and in good condition before consumption.

Some major observations of farmers and customers in the developing world particular in Cameroon, explains that perishable crops especially fresh fruits and vegetables start to deteriorate as soon as they are, harvested and are, separated from their sources of water and nutrition. They suddenly lose weight, texture, flavor, nutritional value and therefore cooling significantly reduces the rate of damages encountered by almost 20‒30% of total crop harvested annually in the regions where intensive farming is, carried out in Cameroon (Cold-hub, 2012).

In Nigeria, Cold-hub an innovative technology is currently providing crop preservation facilities for farmers as an initiative with some plug and play modular powered walk-in cold rooms serving farmers for 24/7 off grid storage. Its main aim is to address the problem of post-harvest losses in fruits, vegetables and other perishable food items. The installations are, done in both major farming areas and around major vegetable markets, where farmers place their products in clean plastic crates stacked inside the cold room powered by solar systems.

However, this can extend the freshness of fruits and vegetables for up to around 21‒40 days. The solar powered walk-in cold room is made of 120mm insulating cold room panels to retain cold.

Energy from the solar panels mounted on the rooftop of cold rooms are then stored in high capacity batteries to be used in times of low electricity production. Large collection of food items from an APV plant will directly eradicate food scarcity and malnutrition problems in these regions since the preservation of crops will ensure prevent food loss of the farmers (Cold hub, 2012).

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The prices of electricity from an APV plant is, expected to be less compared to what the grid is selling or might sell in the future. This is one way to increase customer’s loyalty and putting the sustainable energy from solar system as first priority and increase the share of renewable energy in a given area. Especially in developing countries, customer’s loyalty and satisfaction needs to be, emphasized in any business strategy by business owners and operators among other competitors trading in same line of business or similar.