INTEGRATED RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES - A DESIGN PERSPECTIVE.

Abstract

Integrated renewable energy systems (IRES) which utilize different manifestations of solar energy to satisfy a variety of energy needs have been proposed to supply energy to remote rural areas where electric grid supply is not available at present and is not expected to reach in the near future. This paper discusses the important factors involved in the design of such energy systems and proposes some ideas for overcoming the difficulties encountered. Utilization options and possible design approaches are discussed along with the problems of data collection and design specifications. Data from a typical rural area of Karnataka state in India is used in a conceptual design of an IRES. Suggestions for trans-national cooperation in the area of solar energy research and application are also included.