‘‘Ethiopia has huge potential for solar energy (PV & CSP) because it is located near the equator (between 3 to 15°), with an average daily solar radiation of 5.2 kWh/m,’’ said the Vice President for Sahay Solar Initiative, Germany, Mr Guluma Megersa.

Mr Guluma was speaking in a three-day ‘solar training workshop’ organized by Sahay Solar Initiative in collaboration with University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUSPI) for Arba Minch University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering students at Lecture Theatre, Main Campus from 2nd to 4th December, 2013.

Mr Guluma, an Ethiopian settled in Germany since his school days began the training with his comprehensive presentation, further informed that the estimated potential of wind energy in Ethiopia is about 10,000 MW. With two wind parks already in place at Ashegoda and Adama, two more are likely come up at Aysha and Asella.

For Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) which generates, distributes and sells power across Ethiopia, geothermal is the second most priority after hydro power. Ethiopia’s estimated geothermal energy capacity is about 10,000 MW.

He appraised the gathering that agreement for construction of the first big-scale geothermal plant on the volcanically active Rift Valley has already been signed for 1,000 MW. However, it will require huge initial investments and highly skilled staff for maintenance.

At the outset he said, the main energy sources in Ethiopia are biomass and hydro power, but only 17% access to the national grid because it’s available on the main trade roads.

Exemplifying the energy scenario in Ethiopia, he said, ‘‘Energy supply in Ethiopia is based on three pillars i.e. traditional fuels (wood, charcoal), human and animal power (agriculture and transport) and commercial fuels like kerosene lamps and diesel generator.

Almost 98% of the energy production is based on biomass as 83% people live in rural regions. Citing financial constraints, he said, in rural region biomass is mostly used for cooking i.e. injera and illuminating their homes. Energy consumed for 1 kg ingera is 20-times higher than that of needed for 1 kg rice; and incessant deforestation.’’

He also dwelt upon advantages of hydro power, its economical potential, exporting capacity of Ethiopia and ongoing negotiations for the same. He also spoke on the positive trend for solar energy, its challenges and obstacles.

On the second day, Mr Guluma made simple what is hybrid and mini-grid storage systems, grid-connected PV systems and PV trend across the world.

Taking session on ‘Photovoltaic principles and PV technologies, SUSPI’s senior researcher, Mr Domenico Chianese, first gave a brief history of PV; talked about solar spectrum and atmosphere. He said, solar cells transform the solar radiation directly into an electrical energy with the photovoltaic effect.

Getting into the specifics, he unraveled its technical aspect, different designs of PV module, its construction methods, associated national and global techs, climatic influence and electrical characteristics.

He also got students engaged in some exercise by asking them to determine the estimation of minimum open-circuit voltage of two types of modules etc. He has also delineated standalone systems, loads battery storage and electrical characteristics of PV.

On the concluding day, both resource persons took students to the electrical laboratory to perform experiments under their keen observation.

By Philips Joseph