Benin solar power generation for household electric vehicles

Is solar power a viable option for rural electrification in Benin?

Besides, current projects on off-grid rural electrification in Benin, specifically Solar Energy Promotion Project (PROVES) and Renewable Energy Development Program (PRODERE), are based on stand-alone solar PV/battery only. Such a combination makes the overall cost high due to a big battery storage required to ensure reliable power supply.

What is Benin's current energy situation?

This section provides information on Benin’s current energy situation with energy demand-and-supply scenarios. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 41% of Benin’s population currently have access to electricity.

Which institutions are working to provide access to affordable energy in Benin?

Several institutional frameworks in the energy sector in Benin are working to provide access to affordable energy in the country. The ME is the biggest institution of the energy sector, responsible for the management of the energy sector and in charge of the implementation of RE projects.

Can a hybrid PV/DG/battery system power remote areas in Benin?

In summary, as solar radiation is an abundant resource across the country, this hybrid PV/DG/battery system can be a suitable model to power remote areas in Benin, and we recommend it for future electrification projects in the country in place of the current widely deployed PV/battery system. 1. Introduction

What type of energy is used in Benin?

The evolution of the electrical mix of Benin indicates that, in 2020, natural gas was the first form of energy used to produce electrical energy, representing a proportion of 71.63%. Solar photovoltaic (PV) accounts for 0.30% of the mix by form of energy compared with 1.36% in 2016, as shown in Fig. 3.

Can Benin achieve universal energy access?

Regarding the country's energy sector, more effort is needed to reach the universal energy access goal . Benin Republic currently has one of the lowest national electrification rate in SSA (only about 30.4%), with a strong disparity in favour of urban areas closer to the main grid [17, 18].