Bahir Dar University

Energy Research Center

SOLAR RESOURCE ASSESSMENT, DESIGN AND

CONSULTATION OF SOLAR PV FARM CASE OF AMHARA
REGION

INTRODUCTION
Ethiopia one of the richest histories on the African continent.
Axum,
Lalibela, Gondar, the Blue Nile Falls

Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the largest lake of Ethiopia
Area of 3673 square kilometers and stretching 75 kilometers from north to
south and 60 kilometers from east to west,[13].
Lake Tana is rich in islands (37 in number).
The major landform features of Lake Tana are categorized under islands,
peninsulas, and seaside/costal settlements [12].
They are major resources for the development of tourism sector in Amhara
region.
Each of the islands is composed of different tourist attractions resources

 Ethiopia being one of the developing countries, is characterized

by severe energy deficits.
In most of the remote and non-electrified sites, extension of
utility grid lines experiences a number of problems
high capital investment,
high lead time, low load factor,
poor voltage regulation and frequent power supply interruptions.

But energy production from solar and wind resources are

becoming common both.

Since Ethiopia is located at the equator there is a huge

potential of solar radiation and considerable potential of wind
power

Like any other rural communities in Ethiopia, Lake Tana islands

have no access to modern energy, both for subsistence and
productive purposes, and rely entirely on biomass fuels

 So to fulfill the economic growth with tourism industry and

climate change policy of the government, it is necessary
to quantify the renewable energy resources of Lake Tana
islands and devise mechanisms to harness the resources
of the Islands. And as of the practical experiences of the
world, once the resources are investigated appropriately
we can power the Islands either by wind energy, solar PV
or hybrid system

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

When compared to other lakes of Ethiopia, Lake Tana is rich in islands, about
37 in number with a population size of about 15,200. All of the islands are far
from the national grid connection and also it is costly for the future to connect
to the national grid. Therefore, the main energy source of the population will
remain as wood, agricultural and animal waste for cooking purpose, and
kerosene for lighting purpose. But such kinds of supplies of energy are not
friendly for the user, to the environment and also for the tourism industry.
Because of the instability in supply or variation with time, the associated
health problems, deforestation, high cost and environmental pollution which in
turn leads to further socioeconomic problems, these sources of energy shall be
changed to renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy. So the
feasibility study of the potential of renewable energy and load of the
population in the islands is essential to install alternative energy resources
and facilitate the growth of the tourism industry.
.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The general objective of this project is Needs and Resources assessment for Powering
of Lake Tana Remote Islands in Amhara Region, Ethiopia by using renewable energy
source such as wind or solar PV
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
To determine the appropriate sites on the islands for wind and solar energy
generation and resource assessments. Selection for the application to incorporate
based on the meteorological data by taking account related constrained.
To install, test and commission all necessary equipments for wind and solar data
collection.
To collect Wind and solar energy data specific to Lake Tana islands
To analyze the collected wind and solar energy data
To determine the load, by visiting the site and identifying and classifying demands in
to primary and deferrable load based on the application requirement and calculate
the total demand.

METHODOLOGY

Site Selection
Selection of a suitable site is based on a set of criteria mainly depending
on the local conditions of its surrounding environment. This fact applies on
the problem of site selection for suitable wind and solar farms.
Therefore to select the appropriate site for data collection where the wind
mast is to be erected will be based on different criteria which includes;
Previously Metrological data which is collected by Ethiopian Meteorological Agency,
from satellite by using remote sensing such as NASA, French Earth Observation
satellite)
By visiting the islands and interviewing the local people
Proximity to Main Roads
Proximity to Cities
Proximity to facility
Cultural, Environmental, and Other Concerns.

Installing, Testing and Commission of Wind and Solar Data

Collection Equipments
The main task of this project is to install, test and commission of
wind and solar data collection data equipments.
80, 50, 20-30 meter
Then the major equipments to be installed are listed below
Anemometer such as Cup Anemometer or Prop-Vane Anemometer which
used for the measurement of horizontal wind speed.
Wind Direction measurement device such as direction vane.
Air Temperature measurement device
vertical wind speed measurement device
Global Solar Radiation (pyrometer) measurement device
data storage, loggers, transfer, and process devices
power sources such as Solar Battery Systems
Towers
Wiring and lighting and other miscellaneous equipments

Wind and solar energy data collection

Wind speed and Solar Radiation data resource assessment is the back
bone of this project.
Then in this work the major type data that will be collected are listed
below;

Wind speed and wind direction

Climatic Conditions
Sunshine Duration, Aspect Angle
Solar Radiation measurement and Mapping
Global Horizontal Irradiance/Irradiation (GHI)
Direct Normal Irradiance/Irradiation (DNI) and Diffuse Horizontal
Irradiance/Irradiation (DIF)
Global tilted/in-plane irradiance/irradiation for fixed and sun-tracking surfaces
(GTI)
Optimum Angle for PV modules on fixed mounted construction (OPTA): angle at
which PV modules should be oriented in order to generate maximum electricity
PV Electricity Yield (PVOUT)

Analysis of collected Wind and Solar Energy Data

the next major task is to analyze the raw data for further use.
This will be handled by help of computer software packing like
HOMER, and CFD softwares.
The data analysis includes the data conversion and validation
process.
the major parameters for analysis of wind speed are
Mean and Annualized Mean Wind Speeds, wind shear, wind
Turbulence Intensity, Wind Power Density, wind Speed Frequency
Distribution and Weibull Parameters, average and annually solar
irradiation.
Finally The energy demand will be determined by making
assessments on some selected households energy consumption the
average design consumption will be defined.

EXPECTED RESULTS
By the completion of this work the following outcomes are expected;
Full renewable energy potential of the islands will be known.
The energy demand of the population will be known.
Improved utilization of wind and solar energy and thereby reduce power shedding and other environmental
impacts of the conventional sources. [remote power systems do not influence load shedding]
The loads of the population of the islands and the renewable energy potential of the islands will be quantified.
A report for investors in renewable energy, aid organizations, researchers and government about the power
demand and renewable energy potential of the islands in Lake Tana will be produced.
The capacity of the University of Bahir Dar to undertake renewable energy projects will be significantly
increased
Student projects will be run in wind resource, computational wind modeling, energy demand analysis, and
remote power system design, to train the next generation of Ethiopian professionals in renewable energy.
The project will be a forerunner for others in Ethiopia and Africa in general and will greatly improve the
Universitys standing.

BENEFITS AND BENEFICIARIES OF

THE PROJECT
BENEFITS

The benefits of this work are directly related to the use of

renewable energy so that we can classify the benefits based on
the area of its impact. Globally: the use of renewable energy
instead of conventional energy source will reduce the
environmental impact so that we can environmentally safe world
with no fear of global warming and other hazards.
Locally: by quantifying the needs and energy potential of the
islands gives basic information to design cost-effective renewable
systems to electrify the islands and also increase tourism industry.
Health: since renewable energy utilization reduces the emission of
hazardous pollutants, the health of the people will be improved.

Beneficiaries
The major beneficiaries of this work are:
People living around Lake Tana islands who currently
have no suitable energy supply to support their
economy.
The regional government through the enhanced tourism
industry.
It will provide a stepping stage for other researchers to
work on renewable energy in the islands of Lake Tana.
The University of Bahir Dar will gain valuable experience
in undertaking renewable energy research and
development and train local experts for future projects.

WORK PLAN

PHASE 2 PROJECT PLAN

ESTIMATED COST OF THE

PROJECT