Off-grid

Farms are a key target for the installation of off-grid photovoltaic panels – i.e. those not connected to the grid. In addition to optimizing the pumping of ground water, this technology contributes to an improvement in farmers’ energy performance in order to reduce the need for water for irrigation.

Pumping well-water is considered to be among the main processes requiring the use of off-grid photovoltaic solar energy in Tunisia. This technology has been used in the context of demonstration projects since the 1990s. Subsequently, it was adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture as a reliable, alternative solution for the drinking water needs of populations in remote areas, particularly in the south of Tunisia. There are estimated to be around a hundred such solar drinking water pumping installations.

In recent years, the increase in the price of diesel, combined with a fall in the cost of solar photovoltaic systems and the launch of relevant grants by the Energy Transition Fund (Fond de Transition Energétique – FTE) have changed the situation. Indeed, the use of solar photovoltaic for pumping irrigation water has become more and more economically viable, particularly for those wells currently using diesel fuel.

Solar pumping installations in the agricultural sector are able to benefit from subsidies under investment law. These grants are managed by the ‘Agency for the Promotion of Agricultural Investments’ (Agence de Promotion des Investissements Agricoles – APIA) up to a maximum of 60% of the costs of the solar pumping installations.

.

Off-grid solar photovoltaic installation in Tunisia started in the 1980s, in rural areas not connected to the national electricity grid, in order to meet the electricity needs of the people living there. Photovoltaic systems aimed at low-income populations help reduce their energy expenditure. More than 90% of the cost of these systems has been subsidized by the state budget as part of annual programmes jointly carried out by the National Energy Agency (l’Agence Nationale pour la Maîtrise de l’Energie – ANME) and the regional councils of the relevant governorates. In total, 12,000 households have been equipped with 100 Wp solar installations. The development of the national electricity grid and the speed of its expansion to rural areas has however, considerably limited the potential for solar photovoltaic powered decentralized electrification. Since 2009, such electrification has been undertaken directly by customers wishing to acquire these systems. The latter benefit from subsidies granted by the Energy Transition Fund (FTE).