THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC(PV) SYSTEMS WITHIN NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE

Abstract

Household energy consumption survey data collected between September and October 2019 was utilised to  assess the socio-economic impact of Solar Photovoltaic systems within Nsukka local government area of Enugu State, Nigeria.The study presents the findings of the assessment of the role that access to Solar PV plays among energy users as well as the benefits, challenges and recommendations for maximising the benefits of Solar PV as a tool for poverty reduction amongst  energy users in Nsukka local government area and Nigeria in general.The research has revealed that solar energy plays a great role in promoting the socio-economic life of dwellers in Nsukka local government area. The findings also showed that various uses of Solar PV systems were found among homes, churches, schools, farms, industries, and road lights and were mostly used for lighting, charging electronic devices, and powering of appliances. The major challenges to the use of Solar PV systems as found from the study were: systems installed typically used cheap and poorly integrated components (Non durable batteries and solar panels, etc.), high cost of installation and maintenance,  inadequate skilled personnel to install and maintain Solar PV systems and lack of favorable government policy on the use of Solar PV systems, among others. The study concludes that  prompt and adequate policy interventions are needed in order to maximise the potentials of Solar PV applications in the zone.