Rural Photovoltaic Electrification Program In Jordan

Abstract

The photovoltaic (PV) technology potential in Jordan is high, based on the fact that many remote and isolated sites are located far away from the national electric grid and can not be connected to it in the near future. Therefore, a rural PV electrification program - driven by quality-of-life improvement for the users - was launched in Jordan in 2002. An important element of the program is the access of low-income, rural consumers to essential electricity. This paper discusses and analyses the first stage of this program that is the electrification of a remote and small Jordanian village. Nine PV solar home systems (SHS) were installed in this village in order to provide lighting and power for radio and television. Feed back from the users of the installed systems indicates that the PV based electricity has been providing very satisfactory service to the consumers, and that it is an appropriate technology suitable for dissemination in the rural Jordanian areas.