Improvement of continuity of electricity supply in Rwanda
This project, titled Improvement of Continuity of Electricity Supply in Rwanda, aims to provide a sustainable and economica ly viable solution to the energy cha lenges facing the country’s industrial sector. Through the design and implementation of a 52.9 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system, the proje...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis de maestría |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/432787 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/432787 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Photovoltaic power generation Renewable energy sources Sustainable development -- Rwanda Energia solar fotovoltaica Energies renovables Desenvolupament sostenible -- Ruanda Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Energies::Energia solar fotovoltaica |
| Sumario: | This project, titled Improvement of Continuity of Electricity Supply in Rwanda, aims to provide a sustainable and economica ly viable solution to the energy cha lenges facing the country’s industrial sector. Through the design and implementation of a 52.9 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system, the project ensures continuous power supply, reduces reliance on the national grid, and creates additional revenue through the export of surplus energy. The system is expected to generate 66,280 kWh annua ly, with only 7.5% being used directly by the facility and the remaining 92.5% (approximately 61,288 kWh) available for export to the grid. This covers the user’s fu l energy needs (4,992 kWh/year) and transforms the system into a source of passive income. Depending on feed-in tariffs, the system could generate between $3,600 and $6,100 annua ly, plus $6,000 in avoided grid costs—resulting in a total benefit exceeding $10,000 per year. The financial analysis estimates a payback period of only 3 to 4 years for the initial investment of $38,566. After that, the system wi l continue to provide free electricity and steady income for an additional 15 to 20 years, offering strong long-term financial and environmental value. Technica ly, the system is optimized using high-efficiency components, advanced simulations, and design strategies to minimize losses from temperature, shading, reflection, and inverter clipping, ensuring stable performance throughout the year. Beyond its technical and economic impact, the project contributes to Rwanda’s sustainability goals, including Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly by improving access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. In conclusion, this project offers a scalable and replicable model that promotes sustainable industrial growth, strengthens energy security, and positions Rwanda as a regional leader in transitioning toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future. |
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