The International Renewable Energy Agency says Asia provides access to mini-grids for the greatest number of people, with the development of such systems mostly led by governments. Global installed capacity reached 308 MW at the end of 2017. Off-grid renewables need to be integrated into regional and national electrification planning processes as early as possible, especially to make the most of decentralized solar and wind power. National strategies for rural electrification, on the other hand, should include specific policy and regulatory frameworks for renewable energy mini-grids. The agency presents case studies from Indonesia, Peru, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Cambodia and India, giving an overview of their rules and measures to support the electrification of remote areas through solar and hydropower mini-grids. Luxembourg wants to allow photovoltaic mini-installations with new regulations. The Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy is currently revising its electricity market regulations, which date back to 2007. According to the new regulations, the use of mini-photovoltaic systems could be allowed in the country in the future, according to a response by Minister Etienne Schneider during a parliamentary hearing. Combining a mini PV system with an electricity storage system is usually not cost-effective, as the electricity produced is consumed directly in the household by electrical appliances such as TVs, PCs, refrigerators, etc.
“The trend will continue given the increasing competitiveness of renewable energy mini-grid solutions and national efforts to expand deployment,” added IRENA experts. In 2016, about 133 million people were powered by off-grid renewable energy, with about 2.1 million people connected to photovoltaic (PV) mini-grids. Between 2008 and 2016, the number of people connected to mini-grids tripled to nearly 9 million in Asia and increased six-fold to 1.3 million in Africa. Further efforts are needed to build capacity along the value chain (from financial institutions to local communities), identify cross-sectoral linkages and ensure sustainability. As experience with mini-grids increases, the revision and design of the guidelines should continuously take into account the latest data. The cost of a mini photovoltaic system is between 400 and 800 euros, depending on the capacity, the number of modules and the socket connection chosen. You can calculate the savings potential of your mini PV system free of charge with priwatt`s income calculator. According to the report, solar mini-grid capacity has grown from just 11 MW in 2008 to about 308 MW by the end of 2017. The authors of the report claim that the major factors driving the development of mini-grids are legal and licensing regulations, cost recovery and tariff regulation, and access to finance.
Countries have adopted a number of approaches to develop mini-grids to extend energy access to underserved areas or communities. However, existing regulations have often been insufficient to minimize and finance such investments. The requirement to report data on a monthly basis could also be eliminated for mini-PV systems, Schneider said, although local regulators may decide to introduce an annual reporting requirement. Installed mini-PV systems should also comply with certain technical regulations to ensure safety standards for both the user and the grid operators. In Germany, mini-photovoltaic systems can be installed, for example, on a balcony, garden shed and any type of roof or open space. Only one outlet must be available nearby to be able to use electricity. In addition to mini-photovoltaic systems, the project also contains regulations for individual and collective self-consumption, as Schneider`s response shows. These new concepts aim to turn electricity consumers into prosumers. Your personal data will only be passed on or passed on to third parties for the purpose of spam filtering or if this is necessary for the technical maintenance of the website. No further disclosure to third parties takes place, unless justified by the applicable data protection regulations or pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
A mini photovoltaic system is simply a small solar system. They are often referred to as mini-photovoltaic systems, guerrilla photovoltaic systems or solar rechargeable systems. These mini-solar systems for balconies, roofs, facades or gardens are connected directly to the network of the house via a socket, called plug & play. As soon as the sun shines on the solar panels, the solar energy generated is converted into usable domestic electricity. “The analysis shows that not all factors are equally relevant for all types of mini-grids, and policy-making can benefit from a deeper understanding of different combinations of technologies, delivery models and access levels,” the study says. Proper policies and regulations are essential for the development of mini-grids worldwide. This is the main conclusion of the International Renewable Energy Agency`s report on guidelines and regulations for mini-grids for renewable energy. Asia – where the development of mini-grids for renewable energy has been led by governments, the private sector and municipalities – is the region with the highest number of people supplying electricity via mini-grids, followed by Africa, where the number of citizens with access to a mini-grid increased from just over 200,000 in 2008 to 1.3 million in 2016. The lack of new ad hoc rules and regulations is seen as a key problem for mini-grids, as traditional energy policies and regulatory frameworks are not able to properly assess the different cost structures of mini-grids, as well as the size and economic profile of the consumer base and the scale of electricity sales. The introduction of national targets related to renewable energy technologies could also be a good step towards improving access to electricity via mini-grids, the report adds. The main factors to consider include legal and licensing regulations, tariff rules, financial support, quality standards and possible interconnections or the arrival of the main network.
Some cities and regions in Germany support mini-PV systems through subsidy programs. In this case, it is important that you apply for the subsidy before purchasing the mini photovoltaic system. Regulations and guidelines continue to be critical to the development of mini-grids around the world. You can revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, with immediate deletion of your personal data. Otherwise, your data will be deleted when pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage has been achieved. According to a DGS study, the installation of rechargeable solar systems (up to 2.6 amps = about 630 Wp = 2 photovoltaic modules) in every home equipped with a circuit breaker is possible without safety concerns (see also www.pvplug.de). You save the most with a photovoltaic system if you achieve a high level of self-consumption. This means that you consume as much of the produced electricity as possible yourself. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with a *, but operators should always contact a licensed electrician, Schneider said. This is to ensure that the system complies with VDE-AR-N 4105 safety standards.
In addition, balcony photovoltaic modules should be CE certified. From a height of 4 meters from the ground to the upper edge of the panels, glass panes with the general approval of the building authorities (abZ) or glass-free panes are also mandatory in Germany. With regard to the technical requirements and safety of installations, the Luxembourg Minister of the Economy refers to the requirements of Regulation EU 2016/631. This network code states that all power plants must have a remote control interface that allows the plants to be shut down within five seconds.
