BP Solar: Remote Locations Case Study
As a major solar operator, BP has become involved in scores of ‘off-grid’ projects around the world. Some are substantial programs that bring power to thousands, while others are demonstration projects or prototypes which show communities and governments what can be achieved.
Overview
The simplicity of BP solar electricity makes us a natural choice for rural communities. BP Solar systems can include the solar panels, pumps, refrigerators, lights and lanterns and even solar water heating systems - we take the whole system approach. Additionally, the world's major telecommunications companies are turning to solar electricity as the most practical and accepted technology for remote applications.Rural Electrification
Rural electrification increases farm productivity, raise household income and improves the lives of in the most isolated regions of the world.For example: In Malaysia in 2004, we completed a $39 million project funded by the Ministry of Rural Development, which supplied more than 13,000 systems to remote communities situated in dense tropical rainforest, high mountain ridges and flood-prone river deltas. The systems deliver power to homes, rural clinics, community halls, schools and churches.
Telecommunications
As the world's telecommunication networks are extended and upgraded, greater focus is being placed on the provision of rural communication services. Site access is often difficult and connection to a central electricity grid is seldom possible. A stand-alone power system is required, which must be cost effective, simple to maintain and, above all, reliable.BP Solar has been working in partnership with the International Telecommunications Industry since 1981. Our reputation as the leading supplier of solar power systems has been established through proven performance, the supply of highly reliable systems and by integrating skills across the key areas of manufacturing, product engineering and customer support.
Angola - Paranhos Project
Launched in June 2004 the project is helping the area recover from recent war by providing energy to community buildings, homes, water pumping systems and street lighting.In Angola, the Paranhos Solar Pilot Project, funded jointly by BP Angola and the UK Government, provides a reliable source of energy to a village of 360 people 55 kilometres north of Luanda. Launched in June 2004, the project is helping the area recover from the recent war by providing energy to community buildings including the school and medical centre - including a vaccine refrigerator - as well as lighting for houses, a water pumping system and street lighting.
BP also provided a training course to the Paranhos Farmers Association to teach them how to maintain and repair the systems. Before the project, the only electricity supply came from a small, unreliable generator that villagers could usually not afford to run nor repair.The project also acts as a showcase to demonstrate the potential of solar energy in rural communities in Angola. BP Solar and the Angolan Ministry of Energy and Water have been co-operating on a study to identify the potential for a nationwide rural electrification programme using solar photovoltaics as the enabling technology.
France
Apex-BP Solar, a subsidiary of BP France, will supply 121 community organizations and nine schools with solar panels that will amount to almost 250 kW of new installed solar capacityIndia - Community Projects
In India, our joint venture, Tata BP Solar, has implemented a whole range of rural electrification projects. These are some of the achievements from 2004.At the Island village of Indrapur, a 110 kWp solar power plant in the fragile ecosystem of Sunderbans, enables 10,000 people in a fishing community to have access to electricity and clean water.
Also, power plants in the desert of Rajasthan have brought power to 243 village households. More than 200 solar water pumping systems have enabled farmers in Uttar Pradesh to irrigate their fields.
A joint project with Hewlett Packard uses mobile vans fitted with an aerodynamic 640 W solar power plant on the roof to provide energy to provide doorstep services to farmers in Kuppam including soil testing, internet and e-mail facilities.
Tata BP Solar has ventured into SPACE (Solar Power for Assisted Computer Education). In Sri Lanka has provided computers and solar power to 100 villages, with more to follow as the program has been approved for expansion.
Australia - Remote Telecommunications
In response to the rapidly growing telecom business, BP Solar took on the challenge to upgrade eight solar power sites in the remote Nullarbor Plain of Australia.This complete turnkey project included civil works, installation, recovery of replaced equipment, testing and commissioning. In response to the rapidly growing telecom business, Optus faced a pressing need to upgrade their networks in the remote Nullarbor Plain which stretches 2,000km from the middle of South Australia into Western Australia. The increasing load put pressure on the telecommunications fibre optic link stretching from South Australia to Western Australia. This upgrade required a doubling of existing power needs.
Fujitsu is the key supplier of telecommunication equipment, shelter and maintenance services to Optus and was the assigned project manager for this upgrade. Fujitsu considered the existing solar system to be a reliable source of power, and therefore decided to upgrade and increase the size of the solar system, commissioning BP Solar as the supplier.
BP Solar took on this challenge and upgraded eight solar power sites from the existing size of 700W constant power load to 1,400W power load at 48V. This complete turnkey project included civil works, installation, recovery of replaced equipment, testing and commissioning.
Philippines - SPOTS Project
The Solar Power Technology Support (SPOTS) project is expected to increase farm productivity, raise household income and improve the lives of about 400,000 people.Energy from the sun is now providing electricity to about 40 Agrarian Reform Communities in the Mindanao Province, thanks to the Solar Power Technology Support (SPOTS) Project, which is jointly undertaken by the Philippine and Spanish governments and implemented by BP Solar and the Philippine Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
SPOTS project uses photovoltaic energy systems in providing power for use in lighting up streets, homes, schools, Barangay halls and health centers. For everything from basic lighting for schools to water pumping for clean drinking water or power for vaccine refrigerators, energy from the sun is helping to bring real social and economic development to these remote, isolated communities.
The clean electricity from solar will benefit Philippine rural communities in many ways: improving security, increasing activities in the community centers and increasing livelihood opportunities through productive applications of solar. SPOTS Project is expected to increase farm productivity raise household income and improve the lives of about 400,000 people in the most isolated regions of Mindanao.
