Off-grid Community System Reliability in Ghana: A Panel Data Evaluation

Ghana's off-grid communities rely on renewable energy systems for electricity supply, with significant disparities in reliability across different regions. A mixed-method approach combining econometric modelling (Panel Data Estimation) and qualitative insights was employed. The study utilised secondary data from government records, community surveys, and expert interviews for a comprehensive evaluation of the off-grid systems in Ghana. The analysis revealed that system reliability varied by region, with northern communities experiencing higher failure rates compared to southern regions (45% vs. 20%). Panel data estimation indicated significant correlations between investment levels and system reliability, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in underperforming areas. Targeted investments in infrastructure upgrades are recommended for northern off-grid communities to improve their electricity supply reliability. off-grid systems, Ghana, renewable energy, panel data estimation, reliability analysis 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.