Priority option of photovoltaic systems for water pumping in rural areas in ESCWA member countries

Many rural areas in ESCWA member countries are still suffering from a lack of access to energy services, especially electricity supply. Photovoltaic (PV) applications could supply electrical energy needed in rural, remote, and deserted areas for water pumping to supply the Bedouins and their herds as well as the villagers and their livestock with their needs of potable water. In this paper three options for electric supply to the water pumping system are evaluated: 1) Extension of national electric grid (to 5 and10 kms), 2) Diesel generation sets, 3) PV systems (with system cost 5, 7, 10, and 15 $US /Wp). The cost analysis has been done for determining the cost of the kilowatt hour produced from the three options during the life of the PV systems (assumed to be 20 years), and for two scenarios the first considers the diesel fuel price is equal 250 US$/ton, and a simple interest rate is 6% and the second scenario considers the diesel fuel price is equal 350 US$/ton, and a simple interest rate is 10%. The paper concluded with listing, of priority order of technical alternatives based on comparing the balance costs for each kwh produced during the life of PV system. The opportunity for competition between photovoltaic systems and other alternative systems depends on the price level that photovoltaic systems can achieve. The PV systems are competent with other options when the total cost of the PV system less or equal to 7$US / Wp. On the Other side, most of the Arab countries have remote and deserted areas The paper will come out with estimation of PV systems needed for water pumping during the 10 coming years in ESCWA member countries, which could be a very good opportunity for the application of the PV Systems market.