Category Archives: Ecuador

Ecuador

Ecuador Solar PV

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Ecuador is in a prime location in terms of solar resource, being almost perpendicular the radiation received, unchanged during the year and with a constant angle of incidence; characteristics that give enormous potential for photovoltaic use.

Ecuador’s solar market has developed mostly in isolated facilities for rural electrification until recently.

The first photovoltaic grid connected plant is located in the northern province of Imbabura, with 998 kW nominal power.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica imbabura

To boost photovoltaic generation, in 2012 Conelec renovated 04/11 regulation and set a preferential rate of U$D 0.40 per kW / h of generation.

Under that legislation, in January 2013, the Conelec signed permits for domestic and foreign enterprises to build 355 MW of photovoltaic energy in 91 projects (15 greater than 1 MW and 76 less than 1MW).

The granting of these permits received numerous criticisms of sectors stated that rate was too high compared to hydroelectric generation cost or the same photovoltaic in other countries of the region.

The Conelec revoked building permits of several projects because concessionaires failed to meet construction schedules because funding lack. In some cases because works were started without studies or authorizations.

Representatives of some projects construction companies said that delays and permits revocation were due a number of construction bureaucratic obstacles, in addition to lack of funding.

Initially, the National Finance Corporation (CFN) announced that would finance such projects, promise did not materialize.

Companies that completed their projects said they had no problems with control entities and requested they be allowed to take over the unfinished projects.

The stark reality is that by the end of 2013 operated in Ecuador 4 MW photovoltaic.

During 2014 new PV installed capacity was 22 MW, bringing the installed capacity in 26 MW in early 2015.

The accumulated installed capacity stagnated below 30 MW since during 2015 virtually no photovoltaic MW was added in the country.

Given that in January 2013 agreements for over 300 MW photovoltaic projects were closed, it is clear that progress is much slower than initially expected.

Resultado de imagen de fotovoltaica ecuador

Ecuador does not have a framework to regulate and promote the photovoltaic distributed generation.

According to the 2015 National Energy Balance, electricity generation corresponds to 45.6% hydropower; 0.3% wind energy; 0.1% solar energy and 1.6% biomass energy.

Solar energy in Latam with Sopelia.

Ecuador

Ecuador Solar Thermal

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In most of the Ecuadorian territory, for domestic hot water applications, the type of collector recommended is the flat collector.

The solar radiation levels and atmospheric conditions allow this type of collector to provide optimal yields and to minimize installation overheating risk.

Only in mountain areas, where environmental conditions are more stringent, it is advisable to use vacuum evacuated tube, U-pipe or heat pipe collectors.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar térmica en Ecuador

The country has atlas of solar and wind resources developed by CONELEC and MEER respectively. However both are based on satellite images, they have not been validated with field measurements and its resolution is not good.

Following this the INER developed a project that involved the installation of 17 weather stations in Cuenca canton and 10 weather stations in Chimborazo province, in addition to the placement of sensors for repowering existing meteorological stations in Chimborazo province.

With the data obtained methods of estimating solar radiation were applied to complete historical data series. So far preliminary solar resources maps have been drawn.

This project seeks to validate information about solar resource in the country and the proper use of the sun as energy supply resource.

An Alliance for Energy and Environment in the Andean region with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Program led hot solar water to Ecuadorian Páramo region.

The Ecuadorian Páramo includes the communities of Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Bolivar, located more than 3,800 m above sea level.

The project initially focused on solar hot water use in schools and community centers and then extended to all the inhabitants.

Training workshops related to installation, use and maintenance of solar thermal systems were performed by the Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum Progressio (FEPP).

Program also sought to generate money income for participants from installation, repair and maintenance of equipment. It was possible to train 54 people, including 19 women.

44 systems were installed in 42 schools, directly benefiting 2,186 boys and 2,206 girls, plus an old people center attended by 32 people. In a community agroindustrial plant where medicinal plants are processed consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) could be reduced.

Resultado de imagen de energía solar térmica en Ecuador

In another initiative, MEER and MIDUVI delivered solar collectors to population.

Nationally are 2,632 households beneficiary with the installation of these collectors granted to fund housing bond through the MIDUVI.

The delivery was made after a family’s selection process with suitable houses for solar collector’s installation, which had to have water connection and roof slab.

If there is no solar radiation to cover the water tank demand, there is an auxiliary system based on electricity.

The solar thermal collectors cost is still very high in Ecuador compared to fossil fuels operating systems.

Given country radiation levels, besides these isolated initiatives would be wise to develop policies for solar thermal systems mass use.

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Ecuador

Solar Ecuador

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There is a saying “for sample we need only a button”.

If you visit the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Ecuador website you will see a section called “Flagship Projects”.

Lets make a bet. Of a total of 9 renewable projects, how many you think are of solar energy?

Given that we are talking about a country with one of the highest levels of solar radiation probably our response would be 1 or more.

The correct answer is zero.

Of the 9 total projects, 8 are hydroelectric and 1 is wind.

We can conclude that there is a strong rainfall dependence and a lack of renewable energy matrix diversification in Ecuador.

Being located in the middle of the planet, the potential use of solar energy in the country is huge and its extensive use would help achieve energy independence in the long run.

Leaving aside the dominance of hydropower, Ecuador has made progress in wind generation in various regions.

In Loja, the Villonaco Windfarm, located 2,720 m above sea level, has 11 turbines that generate 16.5 MW.

Renewable energies have been consolidated in Galapagos, with advanced projects in wind, photovoltaics and biofuels energy.

In 2007, three wind turbines were installed on San Cristobal island, to give it 2.4 MW. This wind park can cover 30% of island electricity demand.

Since 2005 operates a photovoltaic park in Floreana, which covers 30% of the electrical energy required.
There is a wind park in Baltra with 2.1 MW capacity.

In solar energy, low activity remained thanks to agreements with German government.

Since 2004, the German Energy Agency launched the Solar Roofs Program to promote renewable energy pilot projects in regions of high solar radiation.

The Government developed photovoltaic projects in 8 Gulf of Guayaquil municipalities. The Eurosolar Program gives electricity to 91 isolated communities with support from the European Union.

For solar energy development a law that favored investors was created, but it didn´t work because there´s no financial guarantee for such investments.

The current renewable energies regulation in Ecuador is still quite poor.

It is difficult to develop big projects in the country, so that distributed generation using photovoltaic systems connected to the electricity grid should be promoted.

But it happens that there is no regulation for these systems which discharge energy to the national grid, no values to remunerate people who bring energy are set and, on the contrary, the excess energy being poured it is also charged.

Wind resource is scarce in the tropical region where the country is located as there are no significant winds and in the evening these winds are practically nonexistent.

Ecuador should take advantage of geothermal energy taking into account the geological conditions of the country, but develop this energy involves making very expensive studies.

Ecuador’s location is optimal for solar energy harnessing.

There is another saying “God gives bread to those who have no teeth.”

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