African Science and Innovation Policy (Interdisciplinary - Policy/Social/Tech) | 24 January 2000
Assessing Off-Grid Solar Microgrids for Energy Access in Northern Ghanaian Communities
A, h, m, e, d, E, l, K, a, d, i, ,, S, a, f, a, B, e, n, s, e, d, r, i, n, e
Abstract
Off-grid solar microgrids have emerged as a promising solution for enhancing energy access in remote communities, particularly in Africa where traditional grid infrastructure is often inadequate or non-existent. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from household surveys with qualitative interviews to assess operational efficiency and community acceptance. A significant proportion (75%) of households reported improved daily activities due to the availability of electricity from off-grid solar microgrids. Technical performance metrics showed an average energy yield per unit of investment exceeding $0.50 per watt-hour, with robust standard errors indicating high reliability. Off-grid solar microgrids demonstrate potential as a scalable and cost-effective solution for enhancing energy access in Northern Ghanaian communities, warranting further deployment and policy support. Communities should be encouraged to adopt off-grid solar solutions through targeted educational programmes and financial incentives. Governments can facilitate this by providing subsidies and regulatory frameworks that promote sustainable energy use. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin<em>{\theta}\sum</em>i\ell(y<em>i,f</em>\theta(x<em>i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert</em>2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.