An analysis of the socio-economic and technical barriers towards adoption of solar lantern in Cameroon

Abstract

Nowadays, 1.2 billion people worldwide are without access to electricity; 48% live in Africa and about 80% live in rural areas (IEA, 2014), and rely on traditional kerosene lamps for lighting. Kerosene lamp usage is linked with indoor air pollution (IAP), and degradation in economic, social, health and education parameters. At the same time, grid extension and connection require high capital investment. In other words, the state‟s limited financial resources do not allow the sustainable development of rural electrification, while rural families cannot afford the installation and consumption costs of electricity in the areas where the grid connection has reached. In recent years, alternative solutions to grid connection, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), have appeared and offer the opportunity for people to access cleaner, cheaper, affordable and healthier sources of electricity. At present, policy, environmental and academic studies have taken place on solar energy and its ability to solve the problems facing rural populations in developing countries, mostly Sub-Saharan African countries, while at the same time trying to help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, literature on this technology is incomplete and limits the understanding of the success of some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to Cameroon. This thesis explores urban and rural electrification processes in Africa, and Cameroon in particular. It will contextualise the energy resource, socio-economic factors and technical barriers. By investigating the dynamics of rural and urban electrification and energy needs, it explores forces underpinning the uptake of solar PV technology through solar lanterns in Cameroon. The result of this thesis has revealed that Cameroon has infinite renewable energy resources, especially solar radiation, for electricity generation. This has led the author to investigate alternative affordable options for the whole country. Through investigating socio-economic, health and environmental factors and barriers that mediate the uptake of solar photovoltaic energy, it has been identified that solar lanterns offer a viable start-up solution in urban and rural areas in Cameroon.