Field experience on solar electric power systems and their potential in Palestine

Palestine has a large number of rural small villages far from the national electric grids. Electrical loads in such villages are mostly small and can be covered by means of photovoltaic (PV) generators, which are economically more feasible than extending the electric grid or using diesel electric generators. Since PV has been rarely used in Palestine, this paper is devoted to investigating the potential of PV applications in Palestine, identifying the barriers for prevalence of PV applications as in other countries and demonstrating the reliability and feasibility of utilizing PV systems by presenting the test results of a PV system by supplying a rural clinic with its power demands. A method for designing the PV power system respecting the local environmental conditions is presented in this paper. The results of the measurements carried out over two years verify the reliability of the applied method. The illustrated test results show how far the PV-power generation can be matched with load demands and state of battery charge even during periods of low solar radiation. This could be achieved by respecting the local weather parameters in the illustrated sizing method. Long term field experience in designing, testing and operation of PV projects outside Palestine is presented in this paper. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.