Sun's out, water flows
Transforming water supply through solar power in the South region of Ethiopia
8 December 2023, South Ethiopia Region
In Addis Gebere Village, under the scorching afternoon sun, the surroundings remained relatively empty as many locals chose to stay indoors to escape the intense heat. However, for Beyene Germo, this part of the day held its significance. Amid the sunny day, Beyene was deeply engrossed in his work within a fenced compound, dedicated to pumping water to a reservoir situated about 1.5 kilometres away from the borehole.
Beyene has been an operator and guard of the motorized water supply system for the past 16 years. The system, having a borehole depth of 62 meters, was initially fitted with a submersible pump powered by a diesel generator. In August 2022, a transformation occurred as the diesel generator was replaced with a solar powered system.
Reflecting on the impact of the new system, Beyene expressed,
“With the escalating fuel prices over the years, we struggled to cover our expenses. The revenue collected from water users hardly offsets the fuel cost and lubricant oil. The system often remained non-operational due to a lack of fuel. But now we no longer require fuel purchases, as the sun provides us with limitless energy to pump our water.”
Further explaining the challenges faced previously, Beyene added, “The generator consumed fuel continuously. About 50 litres of fuel is required every day to pump the water. It was mostly challenging to find diesel from nearby Segen town, so we resorted to purchasing it from Karat town, situated 40 kilometers away from our village. The scarcity of fuel in the market coupled with the logistical hurdle of transporting it to our village added to our difficulties, prompting us to incur extra expenses for transportation.”
He recalls the operational challenges vividly, saying, “The diesel generator faced repeated breakdown due to technical problems. Repair attempts were often hampered by the unavailability or high cost of spare parts in nearby towns. Our reliance on government NGOs for maintenance resulted in slow repair times, ranging from six months to two years. However, since the installation of the solar system, it has operated flawlessly without the need for maintenance. In my entire career, I have never experienced the system working this long without breakage.”
Gratefully observing the solar system, he said “The generator emitted continuous noise and exhaust fumes. It was difficult and unsafe for my health when I operated the generator. Conversely, the solar system operates silently, emitting no noise or disturbances.”
Elaborating the financial impact, he explained “Previously, the revenue collected from water user fees barely covered our fuel and lubricant oil expenses. Since the installation of the solar system, we managed to collect more than 160,000 birr ($3000) and saved it in a bank account under the name of our water system. We have adequate money for maintenance and even consider installing additional water storage tanks for better community water access.”
“The fee for 20 litres of jerry can was $0.073. Paying this amount was not affordable for most users. In such cases, households tend to reduce their consumption or use unsafe water sources to meet their demand. The solar system has alleviated this burden, benefiting the most economically disadvantaged members who were unable to make the required contributions. The price of a jerry can of water was reduced by half. Now it stands at $0.036. This also helped to grow our consumers from 150 to 600 households”.
Highlighting the increased water output, he emphasized, “The diesel pump limited us to a maximum of 5000 litres per day. Now, with the solar system, we pump 20,000 litres daily, significantly increasing water accessibility for the community.”
Previously, when the system was not operational, the community used unsafe water sources like the Megersa, Segen and, Berha rivers, requiring an hour’s walk. The responsibility of collecting water fell heavily on women and children.
He joyfully explained his benefits, stating, “In my role as the system’s operator and guardian, my salary was paid irregular and minimal. I dedicated myself to serving the community, compromising my income. With the solar system now generating income from user contributions, I receive a more consistent and better monthly payment than before.”
In the district, there are six motorized schemes. Surprisingly five out of six schemes were non-operational mainly due to technical issues and the affordability of fuel for the generators. Kuyawo Zemedu, the district’s head of water system maintenance, highlighted that, the growing popularity of solar systems among nearby communities. Even people who are served by diesel pumps have lodged complaints, constantly requesting solar system installations.
Solar pumping systems offer eco-friendly, fuel-free operations with minimal maintenance cost. It is the most promising technology to provide safe, adequate, and sustainable water in rural and remote areas. UNICEF supports similar projects across the country. Yet, considering the substantial demand for this technology, UNICEF and its partners must mobilize additional resources to expand these services to the most vulnerable populations in need.
“I never expected the solar system to bring such a positive change. Initially, I believed our problems wouldn’t diminish, but the sun has provided a solution. Having this system in our village is worth a fortune, a result of the collaboration between nature and humanity. To ensure long-term water security for communities facing similar challenges, turning to solar energy seems like the most worthwhile and sustainable solution,” concluded Kuyawo.
