Madagascar Smart Solar Power System

A costly expansion of the national electricity grid is a long way off and not the most cost-effective way either. Madagascar is one of the sunniest countries in the world with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, so decentralised solar power supply to rural areas is not only easier but also cheaper.

Lithium-ion batteries also provide power at night. Madagascar is the largest island state in Africa and the fourth largest island in the world. With the equivalent of 440 US dollars a year 1, the annual gross national income per capita is far below the average of the other African states south of the Sahara.

Many Madagascans have to walk for miles to recharge their mobile phones. Moreover, electricity also means more production and better food and health care. An expansion of the energy supply is therefore urgently needed, but the national budget is burdened by high subsidies for the country's largest electricity supplier.

atmosfair played a key role in planning and financing the construction of 22 solar mini-grids by providing a low-interest loan to the companies Anka Madagascar and autarsys Madagascar. Three of them are already in operation. The systems each consist of a solar plant, a lithium-ion battery and a new electricity distribution network.

Engineers of Anka Madagascar discuss the design of the new power grids. Anka Madagascar employees inform the villagers about the solar mini-grid project and explain the technology. "Solar mini-grids": Photovoltaic modules feed into newly constructed distribution grids and thus supply rural villages.

Anka Madagascar employees inform the villagers about the solar mini-grid project and explain the technology. "Solar mini-grids": Photovoltaic modules feed into newly constructed distribution grids and thus supply rural villages. Lithium-ion batteries also provide power at night.