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The Energy Lock-In Effect of Solar Home Systems: A Case Study in Rural Nigeria

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  • Olumide Hassan

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Stephen Morse

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Matthew Leach

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Ongoing reductions in the costs of solar PV and battery technologies have contributed to an increased use of home energy systems in Sub-Saharan African regions without grid access. However, such systems can normally support only low-power end uses, and there has been little research regarding the impact on households unable to transition to higher-wattage energy services in the continued absence of the grid. This paper examines the challenges facing rural energy transitions and whether households feel they are energy ‘locked in’. A mixed-methods approach using questionnaire-based household energy surveys of rural solar home system (SHS) users was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Thematic analysis and a mixture of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied. The results showed that a significant number of households possessed appliances that could not be powered by their SHS and were willing to spend large sums to connect were a higher-capacity option available. This implied that a significant number of the households were locked into a low-energy future. Swarm electrification technology and energy efficient, DC-powered plug-and-play appliances were suggested as means to move the households to higher tiers of electricity access.

Suggested Citation

  • Olumide Hassan & Stephen Morse & Matthew Leach, 2020. "The Energy Lock-In Effect of Solar Home Systems: A Case Study in Rural Nigeria," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:24:p:6682-:d:464110
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    3. Somoye, Oluwatoyin Abidemi, 2023. "Energy crisis and renewable energy potentials in Nigeria: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).

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