Solar Electricity for Rural Households at the Fiji Islands

Abstract: This bachelor’s degree project was conducted as both a literature study and a Minor Field Study in Fiji. Today, many of Fiji's remote villages are supplied with electricity from diesel generators while others have no electricity at all. The project aims to examine the expected economical, ecological and social benefits of electrification using solar photovoltaic cells (PV). Earlier reports from around the world conclude that PV-systems are fully competitive with diesel generators economically. This study examined whether this was the case for Fiji as well.Among the aspects covered in the report is the importance of rural electrification, the negative aspects of global warming and Fiji’s high oil dependency. Emphasis is put on PV-systems and how these can be financed. Three remote villages are examined in the field study, where the social aspects and the energy usage are in focus. This among other parameters would be the basis for the modeling in MATLAB, which was used to calculate cost and potential profit for the PV-system, and compare it to using diesel generators.The results show that the PV-systems are cheaper than small diesel generators over a 24-year period, and many times more reliable. However, there is yet unawareness and lack of understanding about the maintenance and use among the villagers, which could be a potential problem. This calls for education, but also smarter systems that minimize the complications that might arise through misuse. Reduced fuel transports, which facilitate the daily life for the villagers together with less exposure to air pollution, are also positive side-effects from solar electrification. Because PV-systems have large initial investment costs, it is crucial that the payment can be split and paid over a longer period.