Solar photovoltaic in Mali: potential and constraints

Citation
Dc. Diarra et Fo. Akuffo, Solar photovoltaic in Mali: potential and constraints, ENERG CONV, 43(2), 2002, pp. 151-163
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
Environmental Engineering & Energy
Journal title
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
ISSN journal
01968904 → ACNP
Volume
43
Issue
2
Year of publication
2002
Pages
151 - 163
Database
ISI
SICI code
0196-8904(200201)43:2<151:SPIMPA>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
Located in the heart of sub-Saharan Africa, between latitudes 10 degrees an d 25 degrees N, Mali has a land area of 1.204 million km(2). The population is presently estimated to be 12 million with a per capita energy consumpti on of 227 ktoe per inhabitant per year. Wood fuel still represents 90% of t he total energy consumed. Mali does not have any economically exploitable p etroleum deposits., but it receives an average solar insolation of 6.3 kWh/ m(2)/day. The review of the potential and problems of solar photovoltaic (PV) technol ogy in Mali shows that high ambient temperatures affecting the performance of PV systems, high cost of installed PV systems, poor after sale service a nd passive participation of local communities in implementation of the prog rammes remain the main constraints and challenges. It is recommended that given Mali's meagre conventional energy resources, r esearch should be intensified on low cost technology that minimises the eff ect of high temperatures on the performance of PV systems. Efforts should b e made to avoid duplication of unsuccessful experiences, improve coordinati on of activities in this area and promote private sector participation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.