Micro-Solar Utilities for Small-Scale Irrigation in Senegal
Project title
Micro-Solar Utilities for Small-Scale Irrigation in Senegal
Project country/region
☐ East Asia & Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Carribean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ South Asia
☑ Sub-Saharan Africa - Senegal
Project organisation
The Earth Institute - Columbia University
Project description
Clean Energy Solution Earth Institute’s solution will enable a small group of farmers to use a central solar energy unit to power multiple AC pumps for irrigation. The proposed solution takes advantage of the benefits of solar without the high costs associated with DC-powered pumps and battery storage. This power will be accessed by farmers with prepaid electricity cards issued by a micro-utility, and sold through local vendors who will benefit from a small commission. Recognizing that a major obstacle to technology adoption is financing, a tariff-based financing model will allow customers to cover their appliance loans in small payments added into their micro-utility bills.
Impact
This innovation will reduce the price of energy for irrigation significantly while reducing the carbon intensity of irrigation and the labor expended on it. These benefits are particularly powerful when looking at the demographics of Senegal’s agricultural workforce, which is more than 85 percent women.
Organization
The Earth Institute at Columbia University harnesses scientific research, education, and practical solutions to create a more sustainable world through innovation and critical thinking. Earth Institute has partnered with The MDG Center West and Central Africa (WCA)—an organization established to assist WCA countries develop and implement operational strategies aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
The Earth Institute - Columbia University participated successfully in the PAEGC Initiative (https://poweringag.org/) and was with its project 'Micro-Solar Utilities for Small-Scale Irrigation in Senegal' among the winners of 2013.
Project related to following sources of energy
☑ Solar
☐ Biomass
☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas
☐ Wind
☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro
☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Other: /
Project primarily related to the following Commodity Groups
☐ Cereals
☐ Fruits and vegetables
☐ Nuts and berries
☐ Forage
☐ Dairy products
☐ Meat products
☐ Oil Seeds
☐ Roots and Tubers
☐ Eggs
☐ Pulses
☐ Fiber Crops
☐ Forestry
☐ Sugars
☐ Stimulants
☐ Spices
☐ Other: /
Project primarily related to the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization
☐ Efficiency of Operation
☑ Processing
☐ Transportation
☐ Controlled Atmosphere
☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting
☐ Preservation
☐ Other: /
Additional Links
https://energypedia.info/wiki/Micro-Solar_Utilities_for_Small-Scale_Irrigation_in_Senegal
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