4.3.7 MARKET SEGMENTS

Off-grid industrial uses for solar electricity are mainly in the telecommunications field, especially to link remote rural areas to the rest of the country. Repeater stations for mobile telephones powered by PV or hybrid systems (PV/diesel) also have a large potential. Other applications include traffic signals, marine navigation aids, security phones, weather or pollution monitors, remote lighting, highway signs and waste water treatment plants. This market segment is fully commercial.

Off-grid community or Stand-alone systems can supply both developing and industrialised worlds that have no access to grid connection. Table 4.2 shows a wide range of applications.

 

Agriculture	water pumping
	electric fencing for livestock and range management
CommunityLevel	water pumping, desalination and purification systems
	lighting for schools and other community buildings
DomesticSector	lighting, enabling studying, reading, income-producing activities and general increase in living standards
	TV, radio, and other small appliances
	water pumping
Healthcare	lighting for wards, operating theatre and staff quarters
	medical equipment
	refrigeration for vaccines
	communications (telephone, radio communications systems)
	water pumping
	security lighting
Small enterprises	lighting systems, to extend business hours and increase productivity
	power for small equipment, such as sewing machines, freezers, grain grinders, battery charging
	lighting and radio in restaurants, stores and other facilities

Table 4.2 Stand-alone PV applications in developing countries

Grid-connected systems represent the market segment that has been growing most rapidly over the past few years and which has been the motor driving the very fast recent growth of the German and Japanese markets.

These types of installations are now mostly integrated into buildings, either on roofs (fig 4.7) or in facades.
This market segment is likely to continue to expand rapidly in industrialised countries and will become a competitive peak power supply within the coming decade.

 

Source: BP Solar
Fig 4.7 Berlin Bank

 

Consumer goods and services represent the fourth main market segment which is made up of a wide range of consumer products and small electrical appliances, including watches, calculators and toys up to professional sun roofs for automobiles.
Other applications include power for services such as water sprinklers, road signs, lighting and phone boxes.
This is also a fully commercial market segment.