Evaluation of a Solar Home System project in Africa: Case Study of a Rural Electrification Programme in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Solar electricity has been identified as the most cost effective solution for rural electrification and is one of the least unprofitable of the renewable energy sources. This 2001 research project was conceived in an attempt to evaluate the difficulties involved in providing off-grid electricity, generated from alternative energy sources, for the benefit of the rural poor in Africa, who make up the bulk of the continent?s population. It assesses how Solar Home Systems have been disseminated worldwide on a commercial and non- commercial basis for the purpose of providing off- grid rural electrification. It briefly describes a 50,000 Solar Home System project in South Africa. Finally, the report concludes that solar electrification remains the preferred renewable energy option for off-grid rural electrification and can best be disseminated using the Fee-for-Service model.