The strategy of photovoltaic technology development in Indonesia

The geography and topography of Indonesia has created many rural and remote areas. This condition has hindered the national rural electrification program. Therefore photovoltaic technology is a most feasible option to provide an alternative source of energy in areas where conventional grid electrification is a major issue. Various photovoltaic systems ranging from solar home systems, photovoltaic pumping systems for drinking water, TV repeaters, public health centers, and more recently, solar boat systems have been installed in Indonesia. The strategy for implementing renewable energy systems, especially photovoltaic systems in Indonesia, is determined into three phases as follows: the first phase is a demonstration program, the second phase is a multiple demonstration program and then the third phase is the dissemination program. The one million rural solar home systems program was started on 2nd June 1997 using the AusAid soft loan fund. The target of this program is to electrify rural and remote areas, to increase the living standard of rural communities, to strengthen the participation of Cooperative Village Unit (KUD) for managing SHS rural electrification program, to establish testing facilities for photovoltaic modules and balance of systems, and to support the development of photovoltaic related industries in Indonesia. To date more than 25,000 SHS have been installed in 190 villages in the eastern part of Indonesia and the installation of 36,400 will be achieved by the end of 1999.