- The ACCIONA Microenergia foundation went to Salta (Argentina) to participate in a workshop about the third generation photovoltaics in the universal access to energy. The foundation implements this technology with the ‘Luz en Casa Oaxaca’ programme in Mexico and now, with the ‘Luz en Casa Amazonia’ pilot project, in Peru too.
The ACCIONA Microenergia foundation, together with experts from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Spain, went to Salta (Argentina) to debate about the option of the third generation photovoltaics for the universal access to energy, in a workshop held by Energetica, Alimentaris foundation and SolRural, with the collaboration of the World Bank and the ESMAP programme.
The International Workshop “Third Generation Photovoltaic Systems, an option to get the Universal Access” gathered, during two days, more than 40 professionals who work for the Energy Access with photovoltaics. In different working sessions, the obstacles, last innovations, field experiences, comparative costs and incorporation of technology were exposed, as well as governmental global goals, institutional models and roles of public and private actors that can contribute to this achievement.
The workshop pointed out countries that give opportunities to extend the use of Third Generation Solar Home Systems (3GSHS) through different initiatives: Argentina with the Project ‘Renewable Energy in Rural Markets’ (so called PERMER II); Bolivia; Peru with the pilot project of Luz en Casa Amazonia, co-funded by CONCYTEC, and; Mexico with the experience of the 7,500 3GSHS provided with the ‘Luz en Casa Oaxaca’ programme, which could be replicated in other Mexican states.
The ACCIONA Microenergia foundation’s speech was in charge of Julio Eisman, Managing-Director, who presented at the workshop’s beginning the world situation in electrification and the international commitment of the Sustainable Development Goals, the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, the challenges of the Universal Access in the region (especially in isolated rural electrification) and the means needed to address those challenges successfully: political will, integrated planning, appropriate regulation, innovative delivery models, inclusion of new actors and specific funding.
The workshop ended with a late afternoon visit to the communities of Cabeza del Toro and Bajo Grande, where attendees saw the pilot experiences developed with third generation solar home systems in these locations.
The conclusion was that the isolated electrification is essential to achieve the universal access in Latin America and get the most remote and scattered homes; the 3GSHS have significant advantages at this point due to their easy use, low weight, long lifetime and being environmentally friendly. By comparison with conventional solutions, these systems allow reduce both the electrification cost per home and the implementation period. Besides, the different organizations’ experiences with 3GSHS in several countries, such as ACCIONA Microenergia en Mexico, Fundacion Alimentaris in Argentina o Energetica in Bolivia, show a high degree of satisfaction from the users, so the 3GSHS seem to be the most adequate option for low-income homes in isolated and scattered rural communities.
It could be said that “3GSHS are not just an option. They are essential for the sustainable, affordable, reliable and modern energy FOR ALL” (J. Eisman).
More information (in Spanish) about this event on http://www.energetica.org.bo/energetica/publicaciones.asp?tp=st
ACCIONA Microenergia and the Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are included in the 2030 Agenda, a 15-year plan of action that favours the people, the planet and the prosperity. There are 17 SDG which are integrated and indivisible and that comprise the three dimensions of the Development: economic, social and environmental.
The rural electrification programmes of the ACCIONA Microenergia foundation impact on those three dimensions, and directly on the SDG 7, Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
By participating in this workshop the SDG17, Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, is impacted too: organizations from different sectors and countries, have shared point of views and experiences in the use of a technology that can contribute significantly to the universal access to energy in Latin America, and so it favours the development of the region.