Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia.
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| Title: | Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Lidate, Abera Jote1 (AUTHOR), Ancha, Venkata Ramayya1,2 (AUTHOR), Worku, Getachew Biru2,3 (AUTHOR), Behabtu, Henok Ayele3,4 (AUTHOR), Yetayew, Tefera Terefe4,5 (AUTHOR), Narra, Satyanarayana1,5 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Energies (19961073). Jul2026, Vol. 19 Issue 14, p3454. 37p. |
| Subjects: | Photovoltaic power system design & construction, Photovoltaic power systems, Storage batteries, Energy consumption, Ethiopians, Energy industries, Rural electrification |
| Geographic Terms: | Ethiopia |
| Abstract: | Off-grid photovoltaic systems with battery storage are essential for sustainable rural electrification, yet national programs such as Ethiopia's NEP 2.0 lack frameworks that support decentralized alternatives. This study introduces a novel swarm electrification model, in which higher-tier solar systems trade surplus energy to support lower-tier households, forming a peer-to-peer solar-sharing network. A comparative assessment of solar resources using models, predictions, and satellite databases showed stable annual irradiance in Ethiopia, ranging from 4.22 to 6.54 kWh/m2/day across two predictive models and two satellite datasets. Long-term PVGIS data (13-year average) recorded the highest annual value at 7.30 kWh/m2/day. Statistically, the artificial neural network yielded the lowest error margins, while the Allen Regression model offered the lowest bias. Based on these data, Tier 2 and Tier 3 PV systems were designed and simulated at 85% efficiency with three-day battery autonomy. A 400 Wp PV array paired with a 2 × 250 Ah battery bank was designed to meet the Tier 3 daily demand of 1.7 kWh, generating over 60% energy surplus. Peak consumption occurs during evening hours (17:00–19:00). Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries proved economically superior for Tier 3 loads exceeding 1.5 kWh/day over a 10–15-year lifecycle, requiring zero replacements and offering lower overall costs. The hierarchical tier-based model enables strategic cross-subsidization, where Tier 3 households support Tier 1 and Tier 2 users. A comparative cable topology analysis recommends the radial T3 2@12V configuration for linear households within 10 m, and the ring T3 topology for longer linear layouts of 15–25 m requiring moderate fault tolerance. All configurations maintain voltage drop below the critical 5% threshold. Overall, this study demonstrates that optimized off-grid PV systems with appropriate topology and battery selection offer a sustainable and scalable pathway for rural electrification in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 195802058 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lidate%2C+Abera+Jote%22">Lidate, Abera Jote</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ancha%2C+Venkata+Ramayya%22">Ancha, Venkata Ramayya</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Worku%2C+Getachew+Biru%22">Worku, Getachew Biru</searchLink><relatesTo>2,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Behabtu%2C+Henok+Ayele%22">Behabtu, Henok Ayele</searchLink><relatesTo>3,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yetayew%2C+Tefera+Terefe%22">Yetayew, Tefera Terefe</searchLink><relatesTo>4,5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Narra%2C+Satyanarayana%22">Narra, Satyanarayana</searchLink><relatesTo>1,5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Energies+%2819961073%29%22">Energies (19961073)</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 19 Issue 14, p3454. 37p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Photovoltaic+power+system+design+%26+construction%22">Photovoltaic power system design & construction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Photovoltaic+power+systems%22">Photovoltaic power systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Storage+batteries%22">Storage batteries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Energy+consumption%22">Energy consumption</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethiopians%22">Ethiopians</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Energy+industries%22">Energy industries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rural+electrification%22">Rural electrification</searchLink> – Name: SubjectGeographic Label: Geographic Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethiopia%22">Ethiopia</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Off-grid photovoltaic systems with battery storage are essential for sustainable rural electrification, yet national programs such as Ethiopia's NEP 2.0 lack frameworks that support decentralized alternatives. This study introduces a novel swarm electrification model, in which higher-tier solar systems trade surplus energy to support lower-tier households, forming a peer-to-peer solar-sharing network. A comparative assessment of solar resources using models, predictions, and satellite databases showed stable annual irradiance in Ethiopia, ranging from 4.22 to 6.54 kWh/m2/day across two predictive models and two satellite datasets. Long-term PVGIS data (13-year average) recorded the highest annual value at 7.30 kWh/m2/day. Statistically, the artificial neural network yielded the lowest error margins, while the Allen Regression model offered the lowest bias. Based on these data, Tier 2 and Tier 3 PV systems were designed and simulated at 85% efficiency with three-day battery autonomy. A 400 Wp PV array paired with a 2 × 250 Ah battery bank was designed to meet the Tier 3 daily demand of 1.7 kWh, generating over 60% energy surplus. Peak consumption occurs during evening hours (17:00–19:00). Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries proved economically superior for Tier 3 loads exceeding 1.5 kWh/day over a 10–15-year lifecycle, requiring zero replacements and offering lower overall costs. The hierarchical tier-based model enables strategic cross-subsidization, where Tier 3 households support Tier 1 and Tier 2 users. A comparative cable topology analysis recommends the radial T3 2@12V configuration for linear households within 10 m, and the ring T3 topology for longer linear layouts of 15–25 m requiring moderate fault tolerance. All configurations maintain voltage drop below the critical 5% threshold. Overall, this study demonstrates that optimized off-grid PV systems with appropriate topology and battery selection offer a sustainable and scalable pathway for rural electrification in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=195802058 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.3390/en19143454 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 37 StartPage: 3454 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Photovoltaic power system design & construction Type: general – SubjectFull: Photovoltaic power systems Type: general – SubjectFull: Storage batteries Type: general – SubjectFull: Energy consumption Type: general – SubjectFull: Ethiopians Type: general – SubjectFull: Energy industries Type: general – SubjectFull: Rural electrification Type: general – SubjectFull: Ethiopia Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Lidate, Abera Jote – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ancha, Venkata Ramayya – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Worku, Getachew Biru – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Behabtu, Henok Ayele – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Yetayew, Tefera Terefe – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Narra, Satyanarayana IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 15 M: 07 Text: Jul2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 19961073 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 19 – Type: issue Value: 14 Titles: – TitleFull: Energies (19961073) Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
