Analysis of solar photovoltaic-powered village electrification at Abou-Sorra in Damascus region

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 119 - 128
• Main Authors: Zein, Abed-El-Hadi, Sarsar, Wala'a
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Economic data; Energy; Energy economics; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Natural energy; Photovoltaic conversion; PV economics; PV system performence; Solar energy; Solar village; Syria; Asia; Syria; PV system performence; Solar village; PV economics; Syria; Solar energy; Case study; Photovoltaic system; Electrification; Rural area; Cost analysis; Performance
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/S0960-1481(98)00057-3

A description of the first solar village project in Syria is given. The Abou-Sorra electrification project supplies power to six households. The nominal power of the solar array is 3.6 kWp. The installation was set up in March 1994 by the Higher Institute of Applied Science & Technology (HIAST). An integrated data logger that records the operational values was installed in March 1996 by HIAST. Using recorded parameters and data processing, a performance evaluation of the PV plant during the period March 1996-October 1997 is presented. The economic viability of this centralized PV plant is investigated and the results are presented. The PV plant has proved to be technically feasible and efficient. Compared to a system based on a diesel generator set, this PV system turned out to be more cost-effective for rural electrification of scattered houses and villages in sunny countries like Syria.