Solar Microgrids in Senegalese Off-Grid Villages: Energy Access and Economic Effects

Solar microgrids are increasingly being implemented in off-grid villages across Senegal to address energy access challenges. A mixed-methods approach combining surveys, interviews, and econometric analysis was employed to assess the effectiveness of solar microgrid projects. Solar microgrids provided an average of 80% more reliable electricity compared to pre-project levels in participating villages. The implementation of solar microgrids has led to significant increases in household income and educational attainment, particularly among women and youth. Further expansion of solar microgrid projects should prioritise community engagement and targeted interventions for sustainable energy access. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.