Matabeleland:
Programme for Introduction of Photo-Voltaic Pumping (PVP) Systems – Project Study

Disciplines

  • Industrial Engineering
  • Power & Electrical

Companies

Dorsch International Consultants

Client

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), Eschborn

Duration

Since 1989

Project Activities

The activities pertaining to Economics and Development Planning consisted of the following tasks:

  • Assessment of socio-economic, social and public health situation of target population at possible sites of PVP systems
  • Analysis of public health sector (including evaluation of diseases caused by water and excreta as well as of health care and education)
  • Evaluation and selection of possible sites for PVP systems according to priority (first phase)
  • Analysis of planning framework and priorities
  • Assessment of practicability of monitoring capabilities of system operators and of likelihood of participation by target groups
  • Assessment of possible executing agencies for scheme (including functions, capacities, capabilities etc.)
  • Preparation of cost estimates and financing plan
  • Cost comparisons between photo-voltaic technology and alternative energy sources
  • Assessment of further testing regions and PVP applications
  • Evaluation of economic conditions of technology transfer and associated benefits.

Contact

Dorsch International Consultants GmbH

München (Headquarters)
Landsberger Str. 368
80687 München
Germany

Phone: +49 89 5797-0
Fax: +49 89 5797-800
E-Mail: info@dorsch.de

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Description

The objective of the project was to execute a test programme for solar energy technology, in particular photo-voltaic pumping systems, in rural areas. The feasibility study included:

  • Assessment of the socio-economic, social, water supply and sanitary conditions as well as of the hydrogeological and technical conditions, including maintenance and monitoring
  • Analysis and selection of 15 sites
  • Elaboration of project concept and planning outline
  • Analysis of executing agencies
  • Analysis of the potential for technology transfer.

It was further envisaged that the test programme would embrace the installation and monitoring of the PVP systems over a period of four years.

The project concept, which comprised the programming of activities and requirements, was elaborated within the framework of a PPM (Project Planning Method) workshop. The overall goal of the project was to test the technical and economic feasibility of PVP applications, especially in remote rural areas, under normal operational conditions with regard to other energy sources. The Zimbabwe an test programme represented part of a scheme which was going to be implemented by the GTZ, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (BMFT) in combination with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ), in a total of eight developing countries.