Barriers for implementing solar energy initiatives in Nigeria: an empirical study.

Abdullahi, Dahiru; Renukappa, Suresh; Suresh, Subashini; Oloke, David

Abstract

Despite the abundant renewable energy potential in the Nigeria, the power-sector stakeholder has not paid attention to the prospect of the natural resources that can be accrued when it is properly harnessed. Although a very negligible fraction of the population has invested in solar photovoltaics (PVs) for home solution, the initiative was only made public commercialised under the public-private partnership (PPP) and the objectives of the Power Sector Reform Act. 2005. It is, therefore, aimed to investigate the causes and insight of the barriers that are responsible for the slow implementation of the solar energy initiative in the Nigeria. An empirical study was performed in the Nigeria. The study was conducted qualitatively, through semi-structured face-to-face interviews of 25 participants. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, interpreted, coded, categorised into themes and analysed by content analysis. The study reveals technological, financial, political and social barriers have been the reason for slowing down solar energy development in Nigeria. While the technical barrier is a challenge to the solar energy implementation, socio-cultural issues have also been an obstacle to the implementation process. It is suggested that, the stakeholders of the initiative endeavour to proffer sustainable policies to enable public and private promoters to be able to generate and distribute electricity through solar PV and to complement the inadequate conventional electricity sources from the grids. The paper provides a richer insight into the understanding and awareness of barriers for implementing solar energy strategies in Nigeria.

Citation

ABDULLAHI, D., RENUKAPPA, S., SURESH, S. and OLOKE, D. 2022. Barriers for implementing solar energy initiatives in Nigeria: an empirical study. Smart and sustainable built environment [online], 11(3), pages 647-660. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2020-0094

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 4, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 26, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 22, 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2023
• Journal: Smart and sustainable built environment
• Print ISSN: 2046-6099
• Electronic ISSN: 2046-6102
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 647-660
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2020-0094
• Keywords: Barriers for implementation; Power sector; Solar energy initiatives; Technological aspects
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1919604