Renewables in the energy transition: Evidence on solar home systems and lighting fuel choice in Kenya

Lay, Jann; Ondraczek, Janosch; Stoever, Jana

doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2013.07.024

Cited by 130 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The author incorporated this barrier in terms of high total cost, high up-front price, and payment inflexibility. In line with Pode [36], Lay et al [40] identified the low income level of households to be a barrier for the adoption of SHS in Kenya. Moreover, a study by Komatsu et al [37] indicated that income alone cannot explain the SHS adoption in Bangladesh.…”

Section: Economic Barriersmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…This was observed by Bawakyillenuo [39], who analyzed the case of Ghana in comparison with Kenya and Zimbabwe. However, Lay et al [40] found that grid extension does not necessarily prevent the adoption of SHS in Kenya. This is because SHS can be sometimes considered as a complementary energy source.…”

Section: Policy Barriersmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In addition, lack of demand may arise from different demographic factors. Some studies showed that low education levels, which can be correlated with income level [40], and low purchasing power, which can be correlated with age groups [63], negatively influence the adoption of PV systems.…”

Section: Sociotechnical Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Barriers to the adoption of photovoltaic systems: The state of the art

Karakaya

Sriwannawit

2015

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

229

113

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a b s t r a c tAlthough photovoltaic (PV) systems have become much more competitive, the diffusion of PV systems still remains low in comparison to conventional energy sources. What are the current barriers hindering the diffusion of PV systems? In order to address this, we conducted an extensive and systematic literature review based on the Web of Science database. Our state-of-the-art review shows that, despite the rapid development and maturity of the technology during the past few years, the adoption of PV systems still faces several barriers. The wide adoption of PV systems-either as a substitute for other electricity power generation systems in urban areas or for rural electrification-is a challenging process. Our results show that the barriers are evident for both low-and high-income economies, encompassing four dimensions: sociotechnical, management, economic, and policy. Although the barriers vary across context, the lessons learned from one study can be valuable to others. The involvement of all stakeholders-adopters, local communities, firms, international organizations, financial institutions, and government-is crucial to foster the adoption.

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Section: Economic Barriersmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Policy Barriersmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Barriers to the adoption of photovoltaic systems: The state of the art

Karakaya

Sriwannawit

2015

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

229

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…For example, it would seem logical that their influence on promoting knowledge sharing would gradually be reduced when competition in the local industry increases. With regard to explanations highlighting the growing middle class in Kenya, further research may also analyse in greater detail the importance of income relative to other influential factors, such as level of education, awareness and so-called neighbor effects (see Lay et al [76]). …”

Section: Crosscutting Discussion Of Findings and Gaps In The Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Review of solar PV policies, interventions and diffusion in East Africa

Hansen¹,

Pedersen²,

Nygaard³

2015

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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Previous research on the diffusion of solar PV in Africa has mainly focused on solar home systems (SHS) in individual countries and thus overlooked developments in other PV market segments that have recently emerged. In contrast this paper adopts a regional perspective by reviewing developments in supportive policies, donor programs and diffusion status in all PV market segments in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as identifying the key factors put forward in the literature to explain differences in the diffusion of SHS in these three countries. The paper finds two emerging trends: (i) a movement from donor and government-based support to market-driven diffusion of solar PV; and (ii) a transition from small-scale, off-grid systems towards mini-grids and large-scale, grid-connected solar power plants. The paper points out three generic factors that have contributed to encouraging SHS diffusion in all three countries: (i) the decline in world market prices for PV modules; (ii) the prolonged support from international donors; and (iii) conducive framework conditions provided by national governments. The paper also identifies five key factors that have been elaborated in the literature to explain the higher level of SHS diffusion in Kenya compared to Tanzania and Uganda: (i) a growing middle-class; (ii) geographical conditions; (iii) local subcomponent suppliers; (iv) local champions; and (v) business culture. Finally, the paper discusses the lack of attention in the literature given to analysing the amount, nature and timing of donor and government support across countries, processes of learning and upgrading in local PV industries and the interaction between the different explanatory factors.

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“…However, such decarbonization of energy systems is linked to very high incomes. A recent analysis of Kenyan households' lighting fuel choices, which suggests that while there is a cross--sectional energy ladder, the income threshold for modern fuel use -including solar energy use -is very high (Lay et al 2012). Furthermore, scaling up low carbon energy--supply to a level needed beyond fulfilling basic needs is rather difficult and would probably impose additional costs on developing countries .…”

Section: Challenges To Energy System Transformation In Developinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasible mitigation actions in developing countries

et al. 2014

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Abstract'Preventing dangerous anthropogenic climate change' (UNFCCC 1992) will only be feasible with substantial emission reductions below the business--as--usual case in developing countries. Because of the central role of energy for economic development, reducing emissions in developing countries without undermining their development goals requires a fundamental structural break of the historical correlation between economic growth and GHG emissions. While possible in theory, such a transformation of the global energy system would impose considerable costs on developing countries. Even if these costs were fully covered by industrialized countries, mitigation measures could still be unattractive to developing countries due to a possible 'climate rent curse' through which financial inflows negatively affect recipients' economic performance. Mitigation measures could further meet resistance because of adverse distributional impacts and political economy reasons. Hence, we caution against overly optimistic expectations regarding the opportunities to drastically re--orient development paths towards low--carbon growth. Instead, we suggest that mitigation efforts in developing countries should focus on 'feasible mitigation actions' that seek to maximize mitigation as a positive co--benefit of policies with different objectives.2

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Renewables in the energy transition: Evidence on solar home systems and lighting fuel choice in Kenya

Cited by 130 publications

References 21 publications

Barriers to the adoption of photovoltaic systems: The state of the art

Barriers to the adoption of photovoltaic systems: The state of the art

Review of solar PV policies, interventions and diffusion in East Africa

Feasible mitigation actions in developing countries

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