PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRIFICATION IN CAMEROON : - A study for the Renewable Energy Program initiated by Engineers Without Borders SWE

Sammanfattning: In Sub-Saharan Africa where the rural electrification rates are below 20%, many are positive about renewable energy sources being the salvation for the electricity problem in the area. Engineers Without Borders Sweden has also recognized this and intends to enable a quicker implementation through the Renewable Energy Program. The programme aims to sustainably increase the spread of renewable energy sources by enhancing the possibilities for local entrepreneurs active in the sector. In the Central-African country Cameroon, found at the Gulf of Guinea, the solar irradiation is intense all year round, making solar power a potential energy source for electricity in the country's rural areas. The work presented in this thesis has had the objective to identify and address the financial and technical challenges of spreading the use of solar energy through photovoltaic solutions in Cameroon, in order to enable a successful implementation of the Renewable Energy Program in the country. To gain local insights, a field study was performed in the rural village of Tatum in north-western Cameroon where the authors began by identifying the stakeholders for the implementation of the Renewable Energy Program. Then we proceeded by conducting interviews and distributing questionnaires. A number of challenges became clear. The most obvious one being that photovoltaic technology is expensive, thus not being affordable for the average rural household. However, the study also showed that within the security of a structured program many households would be willing to make the investment. Furthermore, the study showed that lack of knowledge in the households together with a major lack of local technicians would be additional obstacles. The latter being answered with a belief in a spread organically, through a strong word of mouth culture, the first with the idea of a trainee programme. The ideas are analysed through models and as a conclusion the authors state a belief that despite a number of challenges ahead, the Renewable Energy Program is a strong concept that will succeed with its mission.