USAID Assistance in Energy, Science & Technology
Solar Power
September 29, 2014
F Free energy after installation/over long term
LLong life (at least 25 years)
C Clean energy
S Suits modern irrigation technologies
B Boosts income if used with greenhouses
Solar Power: Advantages
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A solar-powered greenhouse with drip irrigation established by USAID in Yemen.
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MMore cost-effective and efficient than diesel
In Yemen, although the current up-front cost of solar pump is $8,000 represents an expensive investment for poor farmers, the cost would be recouped by diesel savings.
Solar Power: Advantages
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The technology is becoming cheaper, more accessible and more efficient with time.
Solar Power: Prognosis
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110 demo sites with solar powered greenhouses, rainwater harvesting, and drip irrigation
Solar Power System Installed by USAID
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Raymah Sana’a
44 schools equipped with solar power, rooftop rainwater system; raised awareness among 11,000 people on water conservation
Solar Power System Installed by USAID
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113 youth clubs* renovated and upgraded with solar power, now holding activities for 15,000 youth despite frequent power outages
Solar Power System Installed by USAID
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*4 youth clubs in Sanaa, 1 club each in Abyan, Marib and Lahj, 5 clubs in Aden and 1 female school in Aden
SSolar-powered greenhouse with drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting network from Sana’a University Faculty of
Agriculture; water storage tank; water distribution network
Solar Power System Installed by USAID
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y y
y y
Over tenfold decrease in water usage
Over tenfold increase in production
High Impact: Agriculture
10 Y
Yemen tr aditional pr actices Aver age amount of water r equir ed to pr oduce cucumber = 517 L/kg
Aver age pr oduction = 540kg/374m2
Sawan solar-power ed gr eenhouse
Aver age amount of water used to pr oduce cucumber = 32.5 L/kg
Gr eenhouse pr oduction = 6000 kg/374m2
The Way Forward
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Demo of solar-powered drip irrigation to coffee farmers
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The Way Forward
Beyond addressing short-term issues
related to diesel price increases, the real impact of solar power will be to support widespread drip irrigation production and conserving water use in the agriculture
sector of Yemen, which currently consumes
90% of the country's water.
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