A comparative analysis of off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems & businesses performance in The Gambia and Kenya

This thesis addresses a critical challenge in the off-grid energy sector of the Developing World, aiming to uncover the root causes of the frequent failures of solar photovoltaic energy systems(PVESs) and related businesses in off-grid rural communities (OGRCs) (Bhattacharyya, 2013;Onasanya, 2017). The primary objective is to examine the factors constraining the success of these systems and to develop solutions that improve feasibility assessments and promote sustainable implementation. The central research question asks: What are the key drivers behind the limited success of PVESs and energy businesses in off-grid rural communities within the energy sectors ofthe Developing World? The research is structured around three distinct objectives: (1) identifying the facilitators and barriers to the sustainable development of PVESs and energy businesses (EBs) in select Developing Countries, and assessing the role of professionalisation in enhancing the viability of micro and small enterprises (MSEs); (2) exploring the effectiveness of localised training as an essential element of technology deployment by Governments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and investors; and (3) evaluating frameworks aligned with community needs that support high-quality service delivery through technical-business vocational education and training (TBVET) (Watson, 1994). Using a rigorous interpretivist methodology, the study employs detailed case studies from Kenya and The Gambia—two nations at different stages of PV sector development. Through these case studies, the research highlights the systemic obstacles that hinder the sustainability of off-grid energy systems, including limited capacity building, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and ethical lapses in business practices. The findings reveal that while Kenya’s more developed PV sector offers valuable lessons on professionalisation and investment, The Gambia’s emerging efforts reflect the difficulties of operating within a weak regulatory environment. The study also conducts a comprehensive sustainability assessment using 41 indicators across eleven critical domains: technical-business, economic-financial, social-ethical-cultural, ecological, and institutional-legal-regulatory. This analysis uncovers the persistent impact of colonialism, post-colonial governance failures, and regulatory inefficiencies on the success of renewable energy (RE)initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, threatening progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), particularly in rural and underserved regions. Significant contributions of this research are the development of the, Three Tiers of Off-grid PVES Stakeholders Professionalisation and the General Institutional-Technical-Business and Vocational Education and Training Model (GITBVETM), which offer a strategic framework for aligning governmental policies, private sector involvement, and community engagement. Both, emphasize the importance of TBVET in addressing local energy needs and fostering the professionalisation required to sustain off-grid energy systems and businesses. The GITBVETM proposes a path forward for enhancing PVES sustainability through multi-stakeholder active tripartite collaboration of the Government, ESPs and consumers, informed by local contexts. Ultimately, this thesis advances the understanding of the complex factors affecting off-grid energy systems and businesses, presenting practical, context-specific strategies to improve the success of PVESs in the Developing World. It underscores the essential role of professionalisation, localised training, and governance in achieving energy equity and sustainability, offering a roadmap for meeting SDGs 1 and 7 by alleviating energy poverty through inclusive and sustainable off-grid solutions.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

De Montfort University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Delpratt, Sylvia

Licence

• https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstreams/ed7047be-1b6f-4058-8097-cf770b5208dd/download