Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Developing Countries

Stand alone PV systems, are often the preferred option for high value applications such as for rural access to electricity. In stand alone systems the modules are connected to a battery, via a charge controller, which stores the electricity and acts as the main power supplier. An inverter is generally used to provide AC power, enabling the use of normal appliances. Although life-cycle costs of renewable energy systems are lower than for conventional energy systems, their initial investment costs are higher, which is especially true for PV. The photovoltaic industry is committed to establish sustainable deployment mechanisms by sharing the experience gained in the last decades; furthermore, the industry continuously works towards lower systems costs and higher quality, thereby increasing the affordability for the users