Mid Sweden University

This thesis is a study on how Mutanda Eco-Community   Centre (MECC) in the south western part of Uganda can harness the solar   energy at their disposal using photovoltaic as compared to the using of   conventional energies in producing the needed electricity at the centre and   the impacts on climate change. Since the centre is used in education on   climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, it is expected that   anything the centre does or uses with regards to energy ought to come from   renewable sources such as wind, solar, thermal and biomass. Electricity has   been a great challenge because there is no access to the national electricity   grid. Since there is much abundance of solar irradiation in the entire   country, solar poses as a potential sustainable energy since it is a   renewable energy and has the greatest environmental benefits. The objective   is in two categories: to determine how feasible the photovoltaic technology   is in Kisoro and its application at MECC and to analyse the effects on   climate change with comparison with non-renewable sources of energy. To   determine the above, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used.   Results from the studies through the use of simulation method (PVGIS-5)   indicate that Kisoro, where the centre is located, has solar irradiation to   harness due to Uganda´s geographical location on the equator. Findings   revealed there are feasible governmental and private policies, market for PVs   systems, enough players in the Sector and the willingness of the people to   adopt and use solar energy, and its markets economic studies do reveal to be   the indicators for the feasibility of the technology in Kisoro. Corrections   of a few bottlenecks will increase the adoption rate of the photovoltaic   systems. An investment of 85,000, 000 UGX will aid a financial benefit of   4,569.40 UGX per each kWh of electricity generated with 3.1years of Energy   Payback Time and will prevent environmental pollution when compared with   non-renewable energy. Climatic effects are minimal as compared to the other   sources of energy. This greenhouse gases emission comes during the production   of the PVs, modules and systems. The usage of solar technology possesses a   lot of advantages. It is an unlimited source of energy; its maximum usage   reduces carbon dioxide emissions. International conflicts of ownership of   source of conventional energies are reduced and solar power creates energy   security and dependency.