Solar Energy Potential in Horn of Africa: A Comparative Study Using Matlab/Simulink

Geographically, the Horn of Africa is one of the regions that the Equator passes over, providing the opportunity for vigorous solar energy. However, despite the enormous solar energy resources, more than half of the region, 132 million populations have not yet access to electricity. This study presents an overview of the potential of solar energy in the region. Then review the current solar energy status and policies related to it. A Matlab/Simulink model is developed to show the comparative analyses of the solar radiation graphically on the photovoltaic modules and electricity outputs for the Horn of African countries' capitals. As a result of the simulation model, Ethiopia-Addis Ababa receives the highest annual solar radiation of 2915.03 kWh/m2 -year while Eritrea-Asmara with the lowest annual solar radiation of 2198.47 kWh/m2 -year. The annual electrical output of the photovoltaic modules in Ethiopia-Addis Ababa is the highest with 286.685 kWh/year and Eritrea-Asmara 216.214 kWh/year as the lowest in the region. The number of photovoltaic modules and the optimum tilt angles are calculated. For Ethiopia-Addis Ababa, the lowest photovoltaic module number is 10, and the optimum PV tilt angle is 11.163°. For Eritrea-Asmara, the highest photovoltaic module number is 14, with a tilt angle of 15.397°.

PDF

___

[1] AEEP (Africa EU Energy Partnership), “Country Power Market Brief: Djibouti,” Jan. 12, 2021. www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/ DATA/Documents/06_Publications/Market_intelligence/AEEP_Djibo uti_Country_market_brief_EN.pdf.
[2] EIA (Energy Information Administration), Jan. 20, 2021. https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/regionstopics.php?RegionTopi cID=WOTC
[3] B. Pillot, M. Muselli, P. Poggi, P. Haurant, I. Hared, “The first disaggregated solar atlas of Djibouti: A decision-making tool for solar systems integration in the energy scheme,” Renewable Energy, 2013, vol. 57, pp. 57-69.
[4] AfDB (African Development Bank). “The Horn of Africa Opportunity,” Jan. 20, 2021. https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/GenericDocuments/Investing_in_Transition_States- _The_Horn_of_Africa_Opportunity_- _A_briefing_note_for_South_Korean_investors.pdf
[5] J.M. Huacuz, L. Gunaratne, Photovoltaics and Development, in: Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Wiley, England, 2003, pp. 1043-1071.
[6] U. Deichmann, C. Meisner, S. Murray, D. Wheeler, “The economics of renewable energy expansion in rural Sub-Saharan Africa,” Energy Policy, 2011, vol. 39, pp. 215-227.
[7] World Bank Group, Energy Sector Management Assistance Program, Solargis [Online] Available: https://globalsolaratlas.info/map
[8] State Minister for Environment, Office of the Prime Minister and Line Ministries and Ministry of Planning Federal Government of Somalia, “Somalia's intended nationally determined contributions,” Jan. 12, 2021.https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/S omalia%20First/Somalia%27s%20INDCs.pdf
[9] International Labor Organization (ILO), “Scoping study for a renewable energy skills development Public Private Development Partnership (PPDP) in Somalia” Apr. 2021. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---africa/---ro-abidjan/--- sro-addis_ababa/documents/publication/wcms_547596.pdf
[10] BECO (The Banaadir Electric Company). https://www.beco.so/
[11] P.A Trotter, R. Maconachie, M.C. McManus, “Solar energy's potential to mitigate political risks: The case of an optimised Africa-wide network,” Energy Policy, 2018, vol. 117, pp. 108-126.
[12] N. Plain, B. Hingray, S. Mathy, “Accounting for low solar resource days to size 100% solar microgrids power systems in Africa,” Renewable Energy, 2019, vol. 131, pp. 448-458.
[13] Federal Government of Somalia and African Development Bank, “Somalia: Energy Sector Need Assessment and Action/Investment Programme,” Apr. 16, 2021. https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/GenericDocuments/Final_Somalia_Energy_Sector_Needs_Assessment_FGS_ _AfDB_November_2015.pdf
[14] The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), “Evaluation of the Performance of Solar Powered Water Systems in Somalia,” Apr. 18, 2021. https://www.unicef.org/evaldatabase/index_95035.html
[15] B. Pillot, M. Muselli, P. Poggi, J.B. Dias, “Satellite-based assessment and in situ validation of solar irradiation maps in the Republic of Djibouti,” Solar Energy, 2015, vol. 120, pp. 603-619.
[16] International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “Renewable energy technologies cost analysis series-biomass,” Apr. 22, 2021. https://www.irena.org/publications/2012/Jun/Renewable-Energy-CostAnalysis---Biomass-for-Power-Generation
[17] A.I. Omar, J. Virgone, E. Vergnault, D. David, A. I. Idriss, “Energy Saving Potential with a Double-Skin Roof Ventilated by Natural Convection in Djibouti,” Energy Procedia, 2017, vol. 140, pp. 361-373.
[18] M. Mussard, M. Amara, “Performance of solar photovoltaic modules under arid climatic conditions: A review,” Solar Energy, 2018, vol. 1741, pp. 409-421.
[19] S. Baurzhan, G.P. Jenkins, “Off-grid solar PV: Is it an affordable or appropriate solution for rural electrification in Sub-Saharan African countries?” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, vol. 60, pp. 1405-1418.
[20] International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “Djibouti Renewables readiness assestment,” Apr. 23, 2021. https://www.irena.org/- /media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2015/IRENA_RRA_Djibout _2015_EN.pdf
[21] Djibouti Social Development Agency. http://www.adds.dj/en/ruralelectrification-ali-addeh-adds-strengthens-the-capacity-of-the-central/ [22] IEA (International Energy Agency). https://www.iea.org/countries/Eritrea
[23] International Energy Agency (IAE) International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank Group, “2019 The Energy Progress Report,” Apr. 19, 2021. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/2019_Track ing_SDG7_Report.pdf
[24] Climate Technology Centre & Network and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Apr. 25, 2021. https://www.ctcn.org/content/eritrea-2012
[25] S. Cox, P. Gagnon, S. Stout, O. Zinaman, A. Watson, E. Hotchkiss, “Distributed generation to support development-focused climate action,” United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Apr. 25, 2021. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy16osti/66597.pdf
[26] The main issues and opportunities were identified in the “EU TAF for the SE4All initiative – Eastern and Southern Africa, Mission to Eritrea in the energy sector” report, October 2014.
[27] United States Agency for International Development (USAID), “OffGrid Solar Market Assessment,” Apr. 25, 2021. https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1860/PAOPEthiopia-MarketAssessment-Final_508.pdf
[28] Solar Energy Development Association Ethiopia, Ethio Resource Group (ERG), “Solar energy vision for Ethiopia Opportunities for creating a photovoltaic industry in Ethiopia,” Apr. 28, 2021. https://www.sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/PV-IndustryET-04-09-12_final.pdf
[29] G. A. Tiruye et al, “Opportunities and Challenges of Renewable Energy Production in Ethiopia,” Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, 10381.
[30] World Bank, “Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Credit in the Amount of SDR 86.0 Million (US$ 130 million Equivalent) to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for a Second Electricity Access Rural Expansion Project,” Apr. 30, 2021. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/154751468038131697/p df/38158.pdf
[31] Ministry or Finance and Economic Development, “Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2015) The Second Growth and Transformation Plan,”Apr.30, 2021. http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/eth144893.pdf
[32] Solar Energy Development Association Ethiopia, Ethio Resource Group (ERG), “Off-grid solar development in Ethiopia: Market intelligence study report’. Addis Ababa: Ethiopia Resource Group. Study commissioned by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN),” May, 12, 2021. https://cdkn.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/09/Ethiopia-Solar-Power-PB_for-web.pdf
[33] E. Baker, M. Fowlie, D. Lemoine, S.S. Reynolds, “The Economics of Solar Electricity,” Annual Review of Resource Economics, 2013 vol. 5: Submitted. Doi: 10.1146/ annurevresource-091912-151843
[34] International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 2012a. Renewable energy technologies: Cost analysis series; Volume 1: Power Sector Issue 2/6, Concentrating Solar Power.
[35] Cross-border Information (CbI), https://www.africa-energy.com/livedata/article/ethiopia-scaling-solar-rfp-launched
[36] Cross-border Information (CbI), https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/f4df6171-1018-4003-ad9d938ce4866c15/scaling-infra-solar08.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=Msczfcy
[37] World Bank Group, Apr. 10, 2021. https://www.scalingsolar.org/active-engagements/ethiopia/
[38] World Bank, Apr. 12, 2021. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/724741556102180951/pdf /Environmental-and-Social-Impact-Assessment-for-Metehara-SolarPower-PV-Plant.pdf
[39] R. Celikel, A. Gundogdu, “Comparison of PO and INC MPPT methods using FPGA in-the-loop under different radiation conditions”, Balkan Journal of Electrical&Computer Engineering, vol.9, 2, pp. 114-122.
[40] Gilbert M. Masters, Renewable and Efficient, Electric Power Systems, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
[41] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Apr. 11, 2021. https://wedocs.unep.org/
[42] Jinko Solar, JKM380M-72H solar module. Apr. 13, 2021. https://jinkosolar.eu/files/jinko/module/datasheets%2007.2019/SWAN %20DG%20JKM380-400M-72H-BDVP-F40-A2-EN.pdf
[43] O. Cicek, M.A.M. Millad, F. Erken, “Energy prediction based on modelling and simulation analysis of an actual grid-connected photovoltaic power plant in Turkey”, European Journal of Technique (EJT), vol. 9, 2, pp. 2019.