Assessment of challenges to rural electrification for the case of Solar-wind hybrid systems

The objective of the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) is to increase access to electrification for people in peri-urban and rural areas as party of Government of Malawi’s effort to reduce poverty, transform rural economies, and improve productivity and quality of social services (DoEA, 2004). The programme uses both national grid extension and renewable energy technologies in executing its mandate. In line with this, the Malawi Department of Energy Affairs (DoEA) elecrifified six villages by use of Solar-Wind hybrid systems between 2007 and 2009 (DoEA, 2007). This study investigated challenges to rural electrification by assessing designs, adequacy of operational and management plans of the solar-wind hybrid systems through focus discussions, literature review, field visits, HOMER. AutoCAD and MATLAB Computer applications; and proposed an effective framework for implementing rural electrification when using Solar-Wind hybrid systems in the country. This report specifically presents findings from Chigunda and Mdyaka Solar-Wind hybrid systems. The study revealed inadequate technical designs; lack of demand assessment; lack of proper resource assessment; lack of standard maintenance procedures and lack of revenue generation. Need for resource assessment; vigilant supervision; training of operators of such systems and use of ready boards have been recommended.