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SOLAR HOME SYSTEM
In rural off-grid areas solar energy often provides the best
solution. The Solar Home System (SHS) has been developed to
provide households with a basic electricity supply. The standard
SHS consists of an accumulator and a solar panel with a capacity
of around 50 watt peak, providing enough electricity for three
to four light bulbs, a black and white television and a radio
for a few hours a day.
The advantage of the SHS is that people have access to
electricity in areas where no electricity grid will be
constructed, or at least only in 20 to 30 years time. The SHS
can be installed quickly and requires little maintenance;
moreover the SHS can be expanded in accordance with demand or
the customer's budget. For example, with two 50-watt peak panels
the customer can connect several light bulbs and a colour
television. In the event that the electricity grid is expanded,
the SHS can easily be dismantled and installed elsewhere.
Solar Home Systems also have a number of limitations. Not many
electrical appliances can be connected and cooking and
heating/cooling are not possible. Another disadvantage is that
solar energy is currently an expensive technology, which
requires a high initial investment. |
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