What is the role of solar energy in development in Botswana?

Role of solar energy in development in Botswana 181 Water Affairs (MMRWA), which is responsible for all energy matters in the country, is actively engaged in assessing the potential of and paving the path for a larger use of solar and other renewable energies.

Does Botswana have solar energy?

Botswana has abundant solar energy resources, receiving over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year with an average insulation on a horizontal surface of 21MJ/m2, one of the highest rates of insulation in the world. It is essential to take advantage of the abundance of this resource.

Which solar still is best suited for Botswana?

After years of research and development activities, the RIIC findings concluded that the Mexican and brick solar stills are the best suited for application in Botswana. The Mexican still consists of a moulded fibreglass basin of 1.6 m2 base area to hold saline water and has gutters on two sides to collect the distillate.

What is Botswana's energy policy?

Botswana’s energy policy is anchored on three key aspects – increasing access to electricity through the Rural Electrification Project, security, and stabilization of the power supply, and onboarding Independent Power Producers, especially within the Solar PV sector (BPC 2020).

Should Botswana import electricity from South Africa?

Since the Union of South Africa ran a highly developed power sector with surplus power, there was a consensus to avoid developing Botswana’s domestic resources further and instead import the electricity, just like many other commodities (Kanduza 2009, p. 40).

Can a solar refrigerator be used in Botswana?

PV solar reJrigeration The use of PV solar refrigeration in Botswana at present is very limited. The use of solar refrigerators to preserve vaccines and other life saving drugs was introduced in a few clinics but it was not suc- cessful due to frequent breakdowns of equipment.