A model to evaluate the success of Solar Home Systems

Holtorf, Hans; Urmee, Tania; Calais, Martina; Pryor, Trevor

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.015

Cited by 29 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It offers a framework to explore how an innovation is perceived to be consistent with socio-cultural values and helps provide clarity on the innovation decision process experienced by the potential adopter. A number of recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of applying the diffusion of innovations theory as a framework to explore the challenges with scaling renewable energy provision in developing countries (Holtorf, et al, 2015;Urmee 2016;Velayudhan 2003;Zanello, et al, 2016;Mceachern & Hanson 2008), however, none has applied it to analyse the diffusion of PAYG SHS. The aim of this paper is to explore the challenges related to achieving widespread diffusion of PAYG SHS and identify the potential role of policy in overcoming such challenges.…”

Section: Diffusion Of Innovations Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shedding light on the last mile: A study on the diffusion of Pay As You Go Solar Home Systems in Central East Africa

Barrie

Cruickshank

2017

Energy Policy

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Approximately 1.2 billion people lack basic access to electricity. The United Nations 'Sustainable Energy for All' initiative exemplifies the urgent need to address this issue. Recent advancements in photovoltaic, light emitting diode and battery technology have resulted in the rise of affordable and innovative household electricity technologies, however penetration rates remain low due to complexity surrounding 'last mile' distribution. This paper applies the diffusion of innovations theory as a framework to investigate the 'last mile' challenges encountered when launching a Pay As You Go Solar Home System in a region of Central East Africa. The results indicate that Pay As You Go offers the potential to deliver a disruptive positive impact with regard to increasing access to clean affordable energy for the poor, however, both the technology and business model are more complex than current alternatives and therefore require a much more developed go-to-market strategy. The cost of achieving widespread diffusion is therefore higher than similar products sold at retail, yet this is balanced by potential for a much faster rate of adoption. Finally, this paper demonstrates the applicability of the diffusion of innovations theory as a viable framework for analysing last mile challenges associated with Solar Home Systems.

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Section: Diffusion Of Innovations Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even though the household electricity market is predicted to grow rapidly, penetration of SHS remains low and may be considered a niche innovation (Lighting Africa, 2012). A number of SHS programmes have been undertaken in developing countries, yet Holtorf et al,. (2015) highlight that only a few appear to be successful.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shedding light on the last mile: A study on the diffusion of Pay As You Go Solar Home Systems in Central East Africa

Barrie

Cruickshank

2017

Energy Policy

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“…Table I summarises the diffusion of innovation framework (Rogers, 2003), which consists of four elements. It has been used in a number of RET diffusion studies (Barrie and Cruickshank, 2017; Holtorf et al , 2015; McEachern and Hanson, 2008; Velayudhan, 2003). It is comprehensive, covering all aspects of the diffusion process from the adopter perspective, but also allows detailed analysis of sub-elements (Helitzer et al , 2003).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is comprehensive, covering all aspects of the diffusion process from the adopter perspective, but also allows detailed analysis of sub-elements (Helitzer et al , 2003). It is flexible and has been used in combination, partially (Barrie and Cruickshank, 2017) or wholly, with other frameworks (Holtorf et al , 2015; McEachern and Hanson, 2008). One of its key strengths is that it allows assessments to be tied back to a body of remedy literature (Helitzer et al , 2003).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) using a mixed-method approach

Geddes

2020

JM2

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Purpose This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in late-industrialising countries and that this results in under-adoption. It also aims to identify a methodological approach that allows the socio-technical perspective to be integrated into management decision-making, alongside the more typical economic appraisal methodology. Design/methodology/approach A case study and novel mixed-methodology approach is used, which applies the diffusion of innovations framework, innovation system (IS) framework and system dynamics modelling (SDM) alongside traditional economic modelling and appraisal techniques. This approach is used to assess the adoption potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel water pumping systems in the wildlife conservation sector and surrounding rural communities in Kenya. The case study approach tests the merits of the mixed-methodology approach. Findings The life-cycle costs of solar PV water pumping systems are lower in nearly all financing and utilisation scenarios; offer additional social, technical and environmental benefits; and the conditions exist for greater adoption. The use of an integrated diffusion of innovations and IS framework generates significant qualitative data that can support management decision-making. The use of SDM techniques aid conceptualisation of the community economic, water and institutional systems into which water pumps may be diffused and provide a starting point for formal SDM simulation. The results suggest that these techniques capture the socio-technical perspective well and, when used alongside traditional project appraisal approaches, produce more complete information with which to support management decision-making. Originality/value This mixed-methodology approach could be used by practitioners to increase the diffusion and adoption of RETs in more complex contexts in late-industrialising countries. The emergent theory built through the case-study approach should be tested further to assess the merits of applying these techniques to support RET management decision-making in other contexts and more broadly.

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“…Another important problem is estimated at around 1.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity from the existing grid [4]. Because most of them live in isolated places, to where extending the grid is uneconomical [5]. And, the use of alternative energy sources like renewable energy (solar, wind) to satisfy the increasing global load.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar Powered Dc Nano-Grid with Multi Agent Control Strategy

2019

IJITEE

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Smart homes are typical examples of DC Nano-grids wherein multi-agent strategy is required for coordinating different entities to harness flexible load and storage to maximize the integration of intermittent renewable generation. This paper proposes a novel multi-agent approach for DC Nano-grids in smart homes with an aim to simultaneously maximize comfort levels and renewable integration. In the proposed approach, there are three agents: flexible loads, batteries, and renewable energy sources which interact among them for meeting the control objectives. The agents are coordinated using a centralized controller and based on its decision the flexibility is harnessed to the grid. The novelty of the approach is that the different agents communicate only to the central controller and not among themselves which reduces the communication among them. The advantage of the proposed approach is their ability to handle DC Nano-grids and using an agent-based approach within a residential building. The proposed multi-agent approach is illustrated on a lab-level DC Nano-grids pilot developed by the authors. Our results show that achieves maximum overall energy efficiency and minimum electricity bill and smooth control of various modes of operation.

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A model to evaluate the success of Solar Home Systems

Cited by 29 publications

References 19 publications

Shedding light on the last mile: A study on the diffusion of Pay As You Go Solar Home Systems in Central East Africa

Shedding light on the last mile: A study on the diffusion of Pay As You Go Solar Home Systems in Central East Africa

Adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) using a mixed-method approach

Solar Powered Dc Nano-Grid with Multi Agent Control Strategy

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