Off-grid Photovoltaic Sustainability and Its Potential Role in Facilitating Sustainable Rural Development in Indonesia

In many parts of the developing world where an electricity grid remains out of reach for the foreseeable future, Photovoltaic-based Energy Conversion Systems (PVEC) can help fulfill rural energy needs [1] by providing people with electricity for basic services and amenities [2]. Despite the massive number of PVEC installations and the considerable support and initiatives provided by donors and the government, to date the Indonesian PVEC market remains below its technical potential, which is projected to be 900 MWp [3]. For PVEC to be sustainable in off-grid applications in Indonesia, it is imperative that PVEC is delivered to rural Indonesian communities in an institutional framework that accommodates the interests of all stakeholders. A holistic approach to project design and implementation of off-grid PVEC is also required for PVEC to contribute to sustainable rural development. Further, if the benefits of PVEC to facilitate sustainable rural development is to be maximized, PVEC needs to be an integral part of national strategies for sustainable development, poverty reduction and other development plans and targets [4]. This paper describes a study of the sustainability of off-grid PVEC applications in Indonesia that is currently underway and a postcript describes how this work has recently been extended to Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the wake of the December 2004 Tsunami Disaster.