Third AOSIS Workshop

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Third AOSIS Workshop 15 - 19 January
2001 Nicosia, Cyprus

• SOLAR POWER AN ALTERNATIVE TO FOSSIL FUEL
  BASED POWER GENERATION

S.N Sok Appadu Director, Meteorological
Services Mauritius
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Abstract

• The Government of Mauritius was paying heavily ,
  in foreign exchange, for the production of energy
  through importation of fossil fuel.
• During the last 10 years oil importation bill has
  been increasing by an annual rate of about 6 to
  reach US 40M in 1999.

• Projection of its greenhouse gas emissions
  indicated a 10 fold increase of its 1995
  values during the next 25 years, thus placing
  Mauritius in the group of countries with a high
  rate of GHG emission per capita.
• Mauritius was condemned to diversify its energy
  base and the Ministry of Public Utilities was
  encouraged to launch projects on renewable
  sources of energy, including solar.

Country Profile

• The Republic of Mauritius consists of a main
  island, Mauritius, and a group of Small Islands ,
  scattered in the South West Indian Ocean namely
  Rodrigues, the Cargados Carajos( St. Brandon),
  Agalega, Tromelin and Chagos Archipelago (Diego
  Garcia).
• The total land area of the Republic is 2040 km2
  with an exclusive economic zone about 2 million
  km2 extending from latitudes 10 degrees south to
  20 degrees south and from longitudes 55 degrees
  east to 75 degrees east.

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Emission projection for Co2
Co2
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GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
N
520(60)
(Kwh/m2 /Day)
Digue Seche
JANUARY
Pamplemousses
SCALE 1300,000.
500(58)
Union Flacq
480(56)
460(53)
Reduit
420(59)
Medine
Belle Rive
Vacoas
440(51)
Tamarin
Ferney
420(49)
Union Park
Case Noyale
Bois Cheri
Plaisance
Britannia
460(53)
420(60)
500(58)
460(56)
Benares
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GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
N
520(60)
(Kwh/m2 /Day)
Digue Seche
JANUARY
Pamplemousses
SCALE 1300,000.
500(58)
Union Flacq
480(56)
460(53)
Reduit
420(59)
Medine
Belle Rive
Vacoas
440(51)
Tamarin
Ferney
420(49)
Union Park
Case Noyale
Bois Cheri
Plaisance
Britannia
460(53)
420(60)
500(58)
460(56)
Benares
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GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
N
(Kwh/m2 /Day)
440(51)
Digue Seche
ANNUAL
Pamplemousses
420(49)
SCALE 1300,000.
410(48)
400(46)
Union Flacq
380(44)
Reduit
360(42)
Medine
Belle Rive
420(49)
Vacoas
340(39)
Tamarin
350(40)
Ferney
Union Park
Case Noyale
340(39)
Bois Cheri
Plaisance
Britannia
380(44)
400(46)
Benares
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MAURITIUS
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ECONOMIC ZONE OF MAURITIUS
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Socio Economic Profile
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Key issues addressed

• The pilot project has shown that solar energy can
  be used as an alternate source of energy,
  although it is on the more expensive side, at the
  time being.
• The socio-economic impacts of solar energy
  projects in the islands of Rodrigues and Agalega
  was very positive.
• The non-existence of electricity network, on
  these islands, has helped the population to have
  a better perception of the effectiveness of this
  new technology.

Objectives

• To reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels for
  energy production,thus saving foreign currency
• To reduce its emission of Greenhouse gases
• To provide a showcase to private sectors for
  exploitation of solar energy
• To maintain an on-going knowledge of new
  technology and
• To diffuse this tested technology within the
  region.

Implementation of the Project

• The project consisted of a 76kw PV power supply
  system to provide electricity to an existing
  building as well as export excess power into the
  national electricity grid via a 60 kw grid tie
  inverter.
• In addition 125 solar powered streetlight system
  was installed to provide roadway lighting in
  unpowered sites.

• PAD and Co. , a local company, and under the
  instructions of Solar Sales Pty Ltd of Australia
  , completed the installation , using local
  electronic and electrical trades people.

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Criteria used in the selection of a suitable site

• The building should have suitable area to mount
  the array
• Orientation of the identified area so as to have
  maximum exposure to sunlight
• Shading from neighbouring buildings not to
  infringe on the identified area and
• Easy access for maintenance and visitor
  inspection

• Support structures to withstand the onslaught of
  cyclonic winds as well as endure the corrosive
  environment, being in close proximity to the
  ocean and
• The grid tie inverter to be compatible to type
  of installation. The inverter had to be of proven
  technology

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Outcome and Impacts

• Due to the solid state design of the system, no
  part of the existing installation needs short
  term maintenance or replacement. The solar panels
  have a guaranteed life expectancy of 20 years and
  a proven efficiency greater than 95 for the
  power electronics.
• Additional data will indicate trends in seasonal
  variations, hence the suitability/viability of
  such project in the long term. The project became
  operational in January 2000 and by September
  2000, 40989 kwh was generated.

• The yearly generating capacity of the system
  would be around 67000 kwh which is comparable to
  efficiency of solar system in developed
  countries. A major constraint is the high capital
  investment involved. This project costs the
  Government, approximately US 1 million.
• The project was extended to Agalega and
  Rodrigues. Electricity is now being provided on a
  24 hour basis to about 30 houses free of charge.
  Social and recreational activities of the
  inhabitants of these very small islands have been
  greatly improved.

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Lessons learned

• Strength / Opportunities
• New technology contributes to the reduction of
  GHG
• No operating costs
• Can be installed anywhere, without the existence
  of a grid network Agalega and Rodrigues

• Weaknesses/Threats
• High capital cost
• Low lux level
• Public awareness campaign
• Capacity building

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Further information

• Relevant Institutions responsible for the
  project
• Ministry of Public Utilities
• Level 10, Air Mauritius Centre
• Port Louis
• Tel. No. 201 3300
• Fax No. 208 6497

• Central Electricity Board
• Teste de Buch Street
• Curepipe
• Tel. No. 675 5010/ 601 1100
• Fax No. 675 7963

• Ministry of Environment
• 10th Floor, Ken Lee Tower
• Cnr St. Georges and Barracks Street
• Port- Louis
• Tel. No. 2127181
• Fax No. 2128321

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• International Greenhouse Partnership Office
• Department of Industry, Science and Resources
• P.O. Box 9839
• Canberra City Act 2601
• Australia
• Tel. No. [phone]
• Fax No. [phone]

• Solar Sales Pty. Ltd.
• 97 Kew Street,
• P.O. Box 190
• Welshpool 6986
• Western Australia
• Tel. No. 9362 2111
• Fax No. 9472 1965/ 9362 3231

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