Alternative business models for community based solar PV energy supply systems

The primary challenge in rural electrification revolves around the high cost associated with deployment of renewable energy systems compounded by the fact that most communities are relatively poor. This brings into sharp focus the question of affordability of such systems by the intended beneficiaries. This work takes an intergraded approach to electrification within the water/energy/agriculture nexus aimed at creating business eco systems within the communities. The communities will be economically empowered through engagement in crop production or other activities enabled by electricity, from which they can derive income, some of which will be used to pay for energy supplied.

Objectives

• Review current business models for sustainable rural electrification to identify gaps in current approaches
• Develop alternative models based on community empowerment through electricity driven business eco systems
• Test models for sustainability using sustainability metrics