The Adoption Of solar photovoltaic systems among industries and residential houses in southern Nigeria

Abstract: The shortage of electricity in Nigeria creates a huge gap between demand and supply, making individuals and organizations look for alternatives to obtain regular supply of power. The objective of this study was divided into two parts. First identify the barriers and drivers of the adoption of solar PV systems among home owners and organisations in Rivers State Nigeria. Second, identify the challenges faced by the suppliers of this product for small and large scale suppliers. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, a qualitative research approach was used to carry out the study. A loosely-structured interview and a well-structured interview were used as the method. Findings from this study suggest that the need for a regular power supply was enough to motivate residential adopters to purchase and install solar PVC's and sustainability was a sufficient driver to encourage adoption among organizations interviewed in this study. On the other hand, inadequate policies to encourage subsidies, high cost, difficulty to access finances, high interest rates 20%-22% and short period of payback (3years) for loans involving renewable technology were identified as barriers among residential adopters. Lack of implementation of policies for example, double standard shown by custom officials at ports against the zero tax on importation of renewable energy products set by the government, low level of awareness among the public and lack of organized co-oprative group which provides advisory information to potential adopters were among the barriers identified within this study from interviews conducted with suppliers of solar PV systems.