Scalable Solar dc Microgrids: On the Path to Revolutionizing the Electrification Architecture of Developing Communities

There is a worldwide focus on the electrification of developing regions, as is evident from the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. In particular, the aim of SDG 7 is to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all by 2030. Because of these sustained efforts, more than 1 billion people worldwide have gained access to electricity since 2000. During this course, the electrification architecture of developing regions has taken different forms, ranging from extensive utility grid extensions to limited off-grid solutions. Off-grid solutions generally offer cost-effective and lower up-front cost alternatives in comparison to utility grid extensions and are deemed more suitable for developing economies. In developing economies, these off-grid electrification solutions have evolved from individual solar home-based systems to community-based microgrids in pursuit of achieving higher efficiency and reliability on a village scale. Community grids responsible for the electrification of developing regions are further categorized based on architecture, type of generation, and mode distribution.