Productive Uses of PV Demonstrated

The project has supported with limited grant financing nineteen (19) PV systems for income generating projects proposed by the private sector to test various productive uses of PV in rural areas.

The support was directed to a small number of the "best" projects judged to most effectively meet the goals of the grant competition criteria; distribution of different systems for same applications in all districts of Mwanza region and viability of projects i.e. likelihood the project can be commercialized

Technician using a PV powered soldering iron
to repair a radio in Ngasamo Village, Magu district

The PV system installations for the recipient projects and schemes serve as demonstration for transformation of rural business from the current fossil energy to clean source of energy at the same time generating income to business owners.

Some of the supported projects include six systems for charging mobile phones with two of them also operating hair cutting saloons. These are in Geita (2), Sengerema (2), Magu (1) and Ukerewe (1) districts.

According to Mwanza PV dealers, charging mobile phones and conducting public video shows are now booming and commercialized undertakings with small entrepreneurs buying new systems or adding inverters to their existing systems to extend their businesses.

The businesses are augmented by the spreading out of mobile phone networks and the increased coverage of radio and TV signals in rural areas.

Other projects supported by the Project include; two systems for lighting & powering TV in a guest house in Sengerema and Magu, three Public video shows in Geita, Kwimba and Misungwi, two hair cutting saloons in Kwimba and Geita and one radio repair workshop in Magu.

Others include; one fishpond aerating system in Ilemela district, one Music system in a mobile cassette vending cart in Sengerema district, one Milk processing facility in Magu district, one system for lighting a private school hostel in Geita district and one for lighting a hotel in Misungwi district.

The minimum contribution from the beneficiaries was 30% of the system costs. These systems were supplied and installed by four PV dealers: AOL Technology Ltd, Intra Profession Africa Ltd, Zara Solar and Mona Electrical and Electronics.

The evaluation of these projects is part of the ongoing survey to monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of the PV systems for productive uses.