Sustainability analysis off-grid community solar PV projects in Malawi

P. M. Dauenhauer; D. F. Frame

doi:10.1109/GHTC.2016.7857268

Sustainability analysis off-grid community solar PV projects in Malawi

P. M. Dauenhauer, D. F. Frame

Electronic And Electrical Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

10 Citations (Scopus)

73 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The sustainability challenges of off-grid community energy projects using solar photovoltaics in Malawi have been widely acknowledged. However, little evidence has been produced regarding the factors that affect the sustainability of these projects. This paper presents the results of a nationwide study of community solar PV project sustainability in Malawi. The concept of sustainability as a holistic measure is defined and captured through field survey at 43 projects. A multi-factor scoring technique provides a relative ranking of the surveyed projects. The majority of projects have serious shortcomings undermining their ability to produce a positive impact as intended. The results provide useful insights to the design of solar PV projects for community energy practitioners and indicate that the underlying challenges are both internal and systematic, from a poor technical design approach to limitations in the skills required to effectively manage such projects.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2016 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Place of Publication	Piscataway, N.J.
Pages	113-120
Number of pages	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC.2016.7857268
Publication status	Published - 16 Feb 2017
Event	6th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2016 - Seattle, United States Duration: 13 Oct 2016 → 16 Oct 2016

Conference

Conference	6th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2016
Country/Territory	United States
City	Seattle
Period	13/10/16 → 16/10/16

Keywords

community energy
energy poverty
off-grid renewable energy
solar PV
sustainable development
decision support systems
renewable energy sources
Q measurement

Access to Document

10.1109/GHTC.2016.7857268

Dauenhauer-Frame-IEEE-GHTC-2017-Sustainability-analysis-off-grid-community-solar-PV-projectsAccepted author manuscript, 483 KB

Cite this

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title = "Sustainability analysis off-grid community solar PV projects in Malawi",

abstract = "The sustainability challenges of off-grid community energy projects using solar photovoltaics in Malawi have been widely acknowledged. However, little evidence has been produced regarding the factors that affect the sustainability of these projects. This paper presents the results of a nationwide study of community solar PV project sustainability in Malawi. The concept of sustainability as a holistic measure is defined and captured through field survey at 43 projects. A multi-factor scoring technique provides a relative ranking of the surveyed projects. The majority of projects have serious shortcomings undermining their ability to produce a positive impact as intended. The results provide useful insights to the design of solar PV projects for community energy practitioners and indicate that the underlying challenges are both internal and systematic, from a poor technical design approach to limitations in the skills required to effectively manage such projects.",

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author = "Dauenhauer, {P. M.} and Frame, {D. F.}",

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AU - Frame, D. F.

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N2 - The sustainability challenges of off-grid community energy projects using solar photovoltaics in Malawi have been widely acknowledged. However, little evidence has been produced regarding the factors that affect the sustainability of these projects. This paper presents the results of a nationwide study of community solar PV project sustainability in Malawi. The concept of sustainability as a holistic measure is defined and captured through field survey at 43 projects. A multi-factor scoring technique provides a relative ranking of the surveyed projects. The majority of projects have serious shortcomings undermining their ability to produce a positive impact as intended. The results provide useful insights to the design of solar PV projects for community energy practitioners and indicate that the underlying challenges are both internal and systematic, from a poor technical design approach to limitations in the skills required to effectively manage such projects.

AB - The sustainability challenges of off-grid community energy projects using solar photovoltaics in Malawi have been widely acknowledged. However, little evidence has been produced regarding the factors that affect the sustainability of these projects. This paper presents the results of a nationwide study of community solar PV project sustainability in Malawi. The concept of sustainability as a holistic measure is defined and captured through field survey at 43 projects. A multi-factor scoring technique provides a relative ranking of the surveyed projects. The majority of projects have serious shortcomings undermining their ability to produce a positive impact as intended. The results provide useful insights to the design of solar PV projects for community energy practitioners and indicate that the underlying challenges are both internal and systematic, from a poor technical design approach to limitations in the skills required to effectively manage such projects.

KW - community energy

KW - energy poverty

KW - off-grid renewable energy

KW - solar PV

KW - sustainable development

KW - decision support systems

KW - renewable energy sources

KW - Q measurement

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T2 - 6th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2016

Y2 - 13 October 2016 through 16 October 2016

ER -

Sustainability analysis off-grid community solar PV projects in Malawi

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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MREAP: Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme

Cite this

Sustainability analysis off-grid community solar PV projects in Malawi

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

MREAP: Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration Programme

Cite this