Despite the advantages mentioned above, simplicity of SHS is also the disadvantage of it. Because people who jus have very basic electrical knowledge assume that they can handle a system without proper knowledge of SHS. And there is no danger of electric shock unlike AC mains when the user tampers with the system.
Remember that, SHS is basically maintenance free (or low maintenance) as long as the system is:
Properly designed,
Properly components are used,
Properly installed,
Properly maintained.
Most people understand that SHS is safe, clean, low in maintenance and long lasting but forget the above pre-conditions.
The above conditions are an absolute set of requirements that are all inter-twined. However, these conditions seem just easy but in reality they are difficult to achieve.
For in most cases a SHS is;
Poorly designed,
Poorly components are used,
Poorly installed,
Poorly maintained.
This is why most SHS installed in rural areas cease to function after a few years of operation. Then some rural people say �SHS doesn�t work.� SHS should, therefore, be considered very vulnerable and must be handled with care!
It is very important to understand the following realities in most rural areas. As some factor cannot be met even with a proper system.
* Lack of money.- This is a very critical fact. People cannot afford initial cost of SHS and cannot buy good batteries for replacement. Even some areas have grid lines passing overhead. But, people cannot afford to connect electricity.
* Long distance from grid electricity.
* Long distance from town.
* Lack of knowledge about SHS.
* Local SHS technicians are not resident in rural area.
* Households do not maintain the system properly.
* What is a Solar Home System?
* Features of SHS
* Simplicity of SHS
* Vulnerability of SHS