Is solar photovoltaic a viable solution for off-grid electrification?

Although some progress has been made in recent years, ensuring universal access to electricity remains a major challenge in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas. In light of this challenge, solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid systems have emerged as a promising solution for off-grid electrification.

Can off-grid solar power be used for rural electrification?

In this regard, successful experiences of rural electrification using off-grid PV mini-grid systems have been documented, for example, in India, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal, and Namibia (Come-Zebra et al., 2021), (Pedersen et al., 2021).

What causes a low PR value for an off-grid PV plant?

However, it is also important to note that a low PR value for an off-grid PV plant does not necessarily mean that the system is experiencing technical difficulties. Instead, it can be caused by a poor match between the MG system's installed capacity and electricity demand.

Do PV micro-grids deliver enough power?

Using an estimated annual electricity demand of 63,875 kWh, Akinyele and Rayudu (2016) assessed the performance of different-sized PV micro-grids for a small village in Nigeria. They found that PV micro-grids with a capacity of 55–82.5 kWp can deliver sufficient power to the communities.