PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR SCHEME IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA: SOCIOECONOMIC BOOSTER

Sub-Saharan Africa has enormous renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and bioenergy. Amongst the renewable resources, solar energy stands out due to its abundance, and its distribution pattern in the region. Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy meets the modern energy attributes (clean, reliable, secure, and affordable energy) in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) requirements. Development of solar PV reduces price volatility, promotes electricity access for all socioeconomic development. This study drawn a correlation between - energy adequacy and poverty; and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and wellbeing. The study noted that only South Africa (SA) has substantially developed solar PV potential in SSA; solar PV is the best distributed renewal energy resource in the region; PV modules prices have dropped and further decline is expected. The paper identified avoidance of waste of resource; contribution to the power available in the grid; increase rural electrification and decrease GHG emissions; improved hybrid renewable energy systems; solar powered water pump for agriculture; and solar PV powered desalination units as economic benefits of solar PV. The paper discusses political predictability, institutional framework, adaptation of global best practices in electricity supply and building solar PV technical capacities as ways of boosting solar PV development in the region