Solar Electrification and Zero Energy Rural Communities

Abstract

Worldwide primary energy demand has increased by more than 50% since 1980 because of rapid increase in the global population and subsequent economic development of developing nations. Furthermore, the developing nations will be responsible for more than 70% of this growth due to continuous and faster population and economic growth. In this regard, it is very timely to utilize alternative sources of energy to fulfill energy demands of individual nations. The focus of this book chapter is to encourage people and government institutions to develop zero energy communities which will greatly help to achieve sustainable energy infrastructure in developing countries. The concept of zero energy communities is to install solar microgrid electrical systems according to the power requirements of individual facilities. During the peak sunshine hours the electricity can be distributed to the consumers and any excess power could be stored as backup.