Solar Microgrids in Senegalese Villages: Energy Access and Economic Impacts

Solar microgrids are increasingly being deployed in off-grid villages of Senegal to address energy access challenges. This research employs mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data from surveys and interviews with qualitative insights from village observations. Solar microgrid installations have led to an average increase of 25% in nighttime lighting availability compared to pre-project levels, indicating significant improvements in energy access. The findings suggest that solar microgrids not only enhance energy accessibility but also contribute positively to local economic activities by reducing reliance on kerosene lamps and increasing productivity hours. Further studies should explore the long-term sustainability of these systems and their potential for broader deployment in similar contexts. Model estimation used =argmin_ᵢ (yᵢ, f_ (xᵢ) ) +₂², with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.