Power distribution systems in rural Kenya face challenges related to reliability and cost-effectiveness compared to urban areas. A randomized field trial was conducted across three villages with varying socioeconomic conditions. Participants were randomly assigned to use either solar photovoltaic (PV) or diesel generator systems, and their performance metrics were recorded over six months. Solar PV systems demonstrated a significant cost savings of 10 per month per household compared to diesel generators in terms of operational costs, with reliability being the key factor affecting system adoption. The findings suggest that solar PV is more economically viable for rural Kenyan settings than diesel generators, particularly when considering long-term maintenance and fuel supply challenges. Investment decisions should prioritise solar PV systems in future power distribution projects to ensure cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Further research into hybrid systems combining solar with battery storage could enhance reliability further. Power Distribution Systems, Rural Kenya, Randomized Field Trial, Cost-Effectiveness, Solar Photovoltaic The maintenance outcome was modelled as Y₈ₓ=₀+₁X₈ₓ+uᵢ+₈ₓ, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.
Mutua et al. (Thu,) studied this question.