Socio-Economic Effects of Solar Home Systems in Jordan Badia – A Case Study in Rawthat Al-Bandan Village

Socio-Economic Effects of Solar Home Systems in Jordan Badia – A Case Study in Rawthat Al-Bandan Village

Mohammad H. Al-Smairan Saad M. Alayyash Rania S. Shatnawi 

Renewable Energy Engineering Department, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan

Civil Engineering Department, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan

Civil Engineering Department, Applied Science Private University, Jordan

Page: 
191-201
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V14-N3-191-201
Received: 
N/A
|
Revised: 
N/A
|
Accepted: 
N/A
|
Available online: 
N/A
| Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

In light of advancements in energy sources in remote areas of Jordan that occurred at the onset of the 21st century, it is crucial to explore how solar energy has been applied as one of the most vital innovative and renewable sources of energy. A 400 watt-peak solar photovoltaic (PV) stand-alone system with battery storage was created to generate an economical PV energy to supply electricity to remote areas that cannot be served by power grid because of long distances and high cost. This system was applied and assessed in terms of its socio-economic effects between April and May 2016. The system is made up of eight 50 watt-peak 12-volt solar modules mounted on a metal frame. Seven houses and a school were each provided with a 400 Watt-peak system, and these systems are assessed to determine their social and economic practically. A survey regarding the socio-economic effects of the systems was also given to users, the results of which indicated that, on average, the beneficiaries had increased time staying awake and later sleeping in the evening than when they used their old system and spent more time watching TV. Other information provided by participants showed that some users bought TVs, cassette players, washing machines and fans following the implementation of the solar system in their houses. Findings also indicated that they stopped using kerosene for lighting following their obtaining the solar system. With the exception of faults to the isolated battery and lamp manufacturing, no major issues or downsides were seen in using the designed solar system, according to the observations of participants who had used it. Assessment of the new system suggests that it has great effects on the socio-economic situation, is easy to use, can be replicated, plays a huge role in improving living standards, heightens awareness of national issues via mass media exposure, enhances children’s educational habits and generally enhances the rural way of life.

Keywords: 

Badia, Impacts, Jordan, Remote and rural,Socio-economic, Solar home systems

  References

[1] Shamzuzzoha, A., Grant A. & Clarke J., Implementation of renewable energy in Scottish rural area: Asocial study. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(1), pp. 185–191, 2012.

[2] Susanto, J. & Smits, M., Towards a locally adapted rural electrification assessment framework: A case study of the Lao PDR. International Conference for a Sustainable Greater Mekong Sub Region, Bangkok, Thailand, 26–27 August, 2010.

[3] Reiche, D., Renewable energy policies in the Gulf countries: A case study of the carbon-neutral “Masdar City” in Abu Dhabi. Energy Policy, 38(1), pp. 378–382, 2010.

[4] Bhattacharyya, S., Energy access programmes and sustainable development: A critical review and analysis. Energy for Sustainable Development, 16(3), pp. 260–271, 2012.

[5] Mondal, A. and Klein, D., Impacts of solar home systems on social development in rural Bangladesh. Energy for Sustainable Development, 15(1), pp. 17–20. 2011.

[6] Habali, S.M., Hamdan, M.A., Jubran, B.A. & Zaid, A.I., Wind speed and wind energy potential of Jordan. Solar Energy, 38(1), pp. 59–70, 1987.

[7] Hammad, M.A., Characteristics of solar water pumping in Jordan. Energy, 24(2), pp. 85–92, 1999.

[8] Al-Nhoud, O. & Al-Smairan, M., Assessment of Wind Energy Potential as a Power Generation Source in the Azraq South, Northeast Badia, Jordan. Modern Mechanical Engineering, 5(3), pp. 87–96, 2015.

[9] Kablan, M.M., Techno-economic analysis of the Jordanian solar water heating system, Energy, 29(7), pp. 1069–1079, 2004.

[10] Mamlook, R., Akash, B.A. & Nijmeh, S., Fuzzy Sets Programming to perform evaluation of solar systems in Jordan. Energy Conversion and Management, 42(14), pp. 1717–1726, 2001.

[11] Muhaidat, A., Photovoltaic applications in Jordan. In: Utilization of Solar and Wind Energy in Jordan. Second International Energy Week, Amman, Jordan, September 15, 2003.

[12] Qashou, M., El-Mulki, H., Jaradat, A. & Taani, R., Compilation and evaluation of solar and wind energy resources in Jordan. Solar and Wind Technology, 3(4), pp. 293–304, 1986.

[13] Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Assessment and analysis of available energy resources. Internal Report, Vol. 3, Amman, Jordan, 1983.

[14] Bimesdoerfer, K., Kantz, C. & Siegel, J., Killing two birds with one stone: Driving green jobs through creating a rural renewable energy systems industry. Paper presented at the UNRISD conference. Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Bringing Back the Social Dimension, Geneva, 10–11 October, 2011.

[15] Palit, D. & Sarangi, G., A comparative analysis of the solar energy programs for rural electrification: Experiences and lessons from South Asia. Third International Conference on Addressing Climate Change for Sustainable Development Through Up— Scaling Renewable Energy Technologies, 12–14 October 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal.

[16] Retnanestri, M., Outhred, H. & Healy, S., Off-Grid Photovoltaic Applications in Indonesia: An Assessment of Current Experience. In ANZSES 2005 Conference, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, pp. 28–30, November 2005.

[17] Dutton, R. & Shahbaz, M., Jordan’s arid Badia: Deeping our understanding, Jordan Badia Research and Development Centre Publications, Amman, Jordan, 2008.

[18] Müggenburg, H., Tillmans, A., Schweizer-Ries, P., Raabe, T. & Adelmann, P., Social acceptance of Pico PV systems as a mean of rural electrification—A socio-technical case study in Ethiopia. Energy for Sustainable Development, 16(1), pp. 90–97, 2012.

[19] Bambawale, M., D’Agostino, A. & Sovacool, B., Realizing rural electrification in Southeast Asia: Lessons from Laos. Energy for Sustainable Development, 15(1), pp. 41–48, 2011.

[20] Hong, G. & Abe, N., Sustainability assessment of renewable energy projects for offgrid rural electrification: The Pangan-an Island case in the Philippines. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(1), pp. 54–64, 2012.

[21] Abdullah, S. and Markandya, A., Rural electrification programmes in Kenya: Policy conclusions from a valuation study. Energy for Sustainable Development, 16(1), pp. 103–110, 2012.

[22] Gustavsson, M., Educational benefits from solar technology—Access to Solar Electric Services and Changes in Children’s Study Routines, Experiences from Eastern Province Zambia. Energy Policy, 35(2), pp. 1292–1299, 2007.

[23] Brent, A. & Rogers, D., Renewable rural electrification: Sustainability assessment of mini-hybrid off-grid technological systems in the African context. Renewable Energy, 35(1), pp. 257–265, 2010.

[24] Abo Sada, A., Abu-Allaban, M. & Al-Malabeh, A., Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Climate Change at Northern Jordanian Badia. Jordan Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 7(2), pp. 87–93, 2015.

[25] Freiwan, M. & Kadioglu, M., Spatial and temporal analysis of climatological data in Jordan. International Journal of Climatology, 28(4), pp. 521–535, 2008.